Decatur Home Healthcare Malpractice Lawyers
Don’t let your loved one suffer in silence
Home healthcare has become increasingly common in recent years. Many older residents hire home healthcare aids to help them since they want to continue to live in their homes, even when they require some additional assistance.
Unfortunately, some home healthcare professionals make mistakes. When they do, the consequences can be serious. Suddenly, you or a loved one can sustain a serious injury or illness due to the reckless or negligent actions of a home healthcare professional.
When this happens, it’s critical that you talk to a home healthcare malpractice lawyer. That’s why we want to meet with you at Kurle Justus, LLC, right away. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys can explain all the legal options available to you and get straight to work on your case. We know what to do because we’ve been handling complex cases for years.
What are common home healthcare injuries?
Home healthcare injuries due to the negligent or reckless actions of home healthcare workers can cover a wide range. In many cases, these injuries often fall into two main categories:
- Home healthcare abuse
- Home healthcare neglect
More specifically, these injuries often include:
- Broken bones
- Bedsores
- Severe infections
- Injuries due to medication errors
- Injuries due to unskilled home healthcare workers
- Injuries due to lack of attention, neglect
- Injuries or illnesses due to misdiagnosis of medical issue by a home healthcare worker
People hired to care for someone in their home need to undergo rigorous training. When their actions (or inaction) result in a serious injury to yourself or a loved one, it’s critical that you take strong legal action to protect your rights and hold them accountable for their actions. That’s our job and we would be honored to work with you.
Warning signs of home healthcare malpractice
Home health care is meant to provide medical assistance and support in the comfort of a patient’s home, often for those who are elderly, disabled, or recovering from surgery. However, when the standard of care is not met, home health care can become a source of harm rather than healing. Recognizing the warning signs of home health care malpractice or negligence is crucial to protecting the well-being of your loved one. These warning signs often include:
- Unexplained injuries
- Poor hygiene
- Overall health worsening
- Emotional distress
- Medication errors
- Improper use of medical equipment
- Insufficient maintenance of medical equipment
- Lack of documentation
- Inconsistent/missing care visits
What makes home healthcare injury cases complicated?
Home healthcare injury cases often turn out to be complicated legal cases. Some of the reasons why include:
- The home healthcare worker denies doing anything wrong.
- The home healthcare worker claims you or your loved one caused the injury.
- The home healthcare worker destroys evidence related to your case.
- The home healthcare agency’s insurance company denies your claim.
The stakes are often very high when it comes to home healthcare injury claims. Depending on the severity of the injury or illness, medical expenses can add up fast, sometimes totaling thousands or even millions of dollars. That’s the reason why so many home healthcare agencies fight these claims and often hire a team of attorneys to defend their actions.
They don’t intimidate us. As your attorney, we’re prepared to fight them on your behalf every step of the way.
What to do if you suspect home healthcare negligence
If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing malpractice or negligence in their home health care, it's crucial to act quickly. Here are some steps and tips to guide you through this difficult situation:
Document Your Concerns
Keep detailed records of anything that seems suspicious or out of the ordinary. This includes taking notes on your loved one’s physical and emotional condition, noting any unexplained injuries, and documenting any missed medications or appointments. Photographs of injuries or poor living conditions can also serve as valuable evidence.
Speak with Your Loved One
Have an open and compassionate conversation with your loved one to understand their experiences and feelings about the care they are receiving. They may provide insight into issues that you were not aware of, such as mistreatment or neglect. Be patient and supportive, as they may be hesitant or afraid to share their concerns.
Consult with an Attorney
If your loved one has suffered harm due to home health care malpractice or negligence, it may be time to consult with a medical malpractice lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you understand your legal options, gather evidence, and pursue compensation for any injuries or losses your loved one has experienced.
Report the Negligence
If you believe that malpractice or negligence is occurring, you should report it to the appropriate authorities. In Georgia, you can contact the Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB). Reporting the issue can initiate an investigation and help protect your loved one and others from further harm. If you need help filing a report, your lawyer can assist you.
Consider Changing Caregivers or Agencies
If the situation does not improve or if you no longer trust the caregiver or agency, consider finding a new provider. Your loved one’s safety and well-being are the top priorities.
Provide Additional Support
While you address the issue, make sure your loved one receives the support they need. This might mean spending more time with them, arranging for temporary care, or helping them manage their medical needs until a solution is found.
Stay Vigilant
Even after addressing the immediate concerns, continue to monitor your loved one’s care closely. Regular check-ins, surprise visits, and maintaining open communication with both your loved one and their caregivers can help ensure that they continue to receive the high-quality care they deserve in their home.
Put your trust in our law firm. Contact us. We can demand justice for you.
When you have our law firm in your corner, you can fight back against home healthcare agencies and their insurance provider. We know what strategies work because we’ve been doing this work for years. One of our attorneys even worked in the healthcare field for 10 years as a respiratory therapist before becoming a lawyer. That’s why we want to meet with you right away to discuss your potential case.
As your attorney, we can conduct a thorough investigation on your behalf. We regularly review medical records. We often consult with medical experts. We then present our evidence to the home healthcare agency and their insurance company. Many agree to cooperate with us and offer a settlement. If they don’t, we won’t hesitate to file a home healthcare malpractice lawsuit on your behalf.
Put your trust in a law firm that puts your needs first. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation. One of our experienced Georgia medical malpractice lawyers can explain all the legal options available to you. Make an appointment at our Decatur office or wherever’s convenient for you. We even offer online virtual appointments via video chat.