Infections

Athens Nursing Home Infection Attorney

Legal Help When A Nursing Home Infection Harms Someone You Love

When an older adult develops a serious infection in a nursing home, the impact on the resident and the family can be devastating. Infections such as sepsis, severe urinary tract infections, infected bed sores, or pneumonia often require hospitalization and can be life threatening. If this happened to your loved one in or around Athens and you suspect poor care played a role, you may be looking for answers and support from a team who understands what you are going through.

At McHugh Fuller Law Group, we know families trust facilities to provide basic safety, hygiene, and medical attention. When that trust is broken and a preventable infection occurs, it is common to feel angry, guilty, and unsure of what to do next. For more than 20 years, our firm has fought negligence by nursing homes and medical providers, and we work to hold powerful organizations accountable when their choices harm vulnerable residents.

Our Athens nursing home infection lawyer listens carefully to each family’s story, and our goal is to help you understand whether negligence may have contributed to the infection and what your legal options might be. You do not have to sort through complex medical records, regulations, and corporate structures on your own. We are here to stand beside you and your loved one.

To schedule a free consultation, contact us today at (601) 255-0240.

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Understanding Nursing Home Infections

Infections in nursing homes often develop due to unsanitary conditions, poor staff training, or delayed medical treatment. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because of chronic illnesses, limited mobility, and compromised immune systems. A minor infection can escalate rapidly if it is not identified and treated early.

An Athens infection lawyer can investigate whether a facility failed to follow infection control protocols, ignored warning signs, or violated Georgia nursing home regulations. These failures may form the basis of a negligence claim.

Common Types of Nursing Home Infections

Nursing home residents can suffer from a wide range of infections, many of which are preventable with proper care. Some of the most common include:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): UTIs frequently occur when residents are not assisted with proper hygiene, catheter care, or regular bathroom use. Left untreated, UTIs can lead to kidney infections or sepsis.
Respiratory Infections: Pneumonia, influenza, and COVID-19 can spread rapidly in nursing homes when infection control measures are ignored. Poor ventilation, lack of isolation, and failure to vaccinate residents may contribute to outbreaks.
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Bedsores, wounds, and untreated cuts can become infected when staff fail to reposition residents or maintain clean bandages. These infections may lead to serious complications such as cellulitis or gangrene.
Sepsis: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can result from untreated infections. It is a medical emergency and often indicates a delay in diagnosis or treatment by nursing home staff.
Gastrointestinal Infections: Foodborne illnesses and infections like C. diff can occur due to unsanitary kitchens, improper handwashing, or contaminated surfaces.

Common Causes of Infections in Nursing Homes

Infections do not happen by accident. In many cases, they are the result of systemic failures within a facility. Common causes include:

Poor hand hygiene by staff
Unsanitary living conditions or shared equipment
Inadequate staffing levels
Improper wound or catheter care
Failure to isolate infected residents
Delayed medical evaluation or treatment
Lack of staff training on infection control

When nursing homes cut corners to save money, residents often pay the price. An Athens infection lawyer can review facility records, staffing schedules, and medical documentation to uncover evidence of negligence.

How Nursing Home Staff Prevent & Manage Infections

Nursing homes have a legal and ethical responsibility to protect residents from infections. Proper prevention and management measures include:

Regular handwashing and use of personal protective equipment
Routine cleaning and disinfection of resident rooms and common areas
Prompt identification of infection symptoms
Proper wound care and repositioning of immobile residents
Safe catheter use and monitoring
Isolating residents with contagious illnesses
Timely communication with physicians and family members

When staff fail to follow these basic protocols, infections can spread quickly and cause devastating harm. Facilities that ignore these responsibilities may be held legally accountable.

Warning Signs of a Nursing Home Infection

Family members should remain alert to potential signs of infection, including:

Fever or chills
Sudden confusion or behavioral changes
Pain or burning during urination
Redness, swelling, or discharge from wounds
Persistent coughing or shortness of breath
Unexplained fatigue or weakness

If you notice these symptoms, seek immediate medical care and document everything. Consulting an Athens infection lawyer as soon as possible can help preserve evidence and protect your loved one’s rights.

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How an Athens Infection Lawyer Can Help

Pursuing a nursing home infection claim can be overwhelming for families already dealing with emotional stress. An experienced Athens infection lawyer at McHugh Fuller Law Group can handle every aspect of your case, including:

Investigating the cause of the infection
Reviewing medical records and facility reports
Consulting medical experts
Identifying violations of Georgia nursing home laws
Negotiating with insurance companies
Filing a lawsuit if necessary

Our goal is to hold negligent facilities accountable and seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages.

To talk with our team about a possible nursing home infection claim in or around Athens, call (601) 255-0240 or contact us online today.

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover in a Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Case?

If you or a loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse in Georgia, you may be entitled to various types of compensation to address the harm caused. Economic damages often cover tangible expenses, such as medical bills for treatment related to the abuse, rehabilitation costs, and any necessary future care. If a resident experiences financial exploitation, recovery may also include compensation for stolen assets or mismanaged funds. Non-economic damages can address the emotional impact of the abuse, covering pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, in cases of extreme negligence or malicious intent, punitive damages might be awarded to hold the responsible parties accountable and to act as a deterrent against similar future misconduct. We can help accurately calculate your damages so that we can help you seek every dollar you are entitled to under the law.
Can Nursing Home Staff Be Held Criminally Responsible for Abuse in Georgia?

Nursing home staff can be held criminally responsible for abuse under certain circumstances, particularly when their actions violate laws designed to protect residents. Criminal prosecution involves the state or federal government bringing charges against the accused, focusing on punishing unlawful behavior through fines, incarceration, or both. This type of legal action aims to address wrongdoing that disrupts public order and safety.
Criminal prosecution is distinct from a civil lawsuit, which is the form of legal action our Georgia nursing home abuse lawyers can assist you with. Civil legal action is brought by the victim or their family and focuses on compensating the victim for the harm they have suffered, such as physical injuries, emotional distress, or financial losses. These two legal procedures operate independently from one another, follow different procedures, and have differing burdens of proof.
We can answer any questions you may have about the differences between criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits. Our team can also explain your rights and legal options.
How Long Do I Have to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Georgia?

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice is generally two years from the date the injury or death that occurred due to the alleged malpractice. However, there are exceptions under the discovery rule, which allows for cases to be filed within two years of when the injury was discovered – or reasonably should have been discovered – if the harm was not immediately apparent. However, Georgia law also imposes a statute of repose, which places an absolute deadline of five years from the date of the negligent act or omission, regardless of when the injury was discovered. These time constraints make it critical for individuals considering a medical malpractice claim to get legal advice quickly to protect their rights.

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Why Families Turn To Our Firm After Nursing Home Infections

Families who contact us are often in crisis. A parent or spouse has been rushed from a facility to a hospital in or around Athens, and doctors are talking about sepsis, open wounds, or bacteria that should have been caught earlier. In that moment, you need more than generic legal information. You need a legal team that is comfortable confronting large nursing home companies and medical providers and that understands how unsafe care can lead to life changing infections.

For over 20 years, McHugh Fuller Law Group has focused on holding powerful entities accountable when they harm people through negligence. We have taken on nursing homes, healthcare providers, and product manufacturers that failed to protect those who depended on them. That experience matters in infection cases, because these claims often involve complex medical issues, facility policies, and corporate decision making that smaller or less focused firms may not be prepared to tackle.

We also recognize that many residents cannot advocate for themselves. They may be confused, bedridden, or unable to speak. Our firm is built around the belief that people who cannot fight for their own safety still deserve a strong voice. When we pursue a claim after a preventable infection, we do so with the understanding that we are standing up for someone who has been placed in a position of profound dependence and vulnerability.

When you work with us, we strive to be both determined and compassionate. We explain the legal process in plain language, keep you informed, and respect the emotional toll these events take on families. Our goal is to be a steady, informed presence while we work to uncover what happened and why.