Wrongful Death

Athens Nursing Home Wrongful Death Attorney

Legal Help When A Loved One Dies In A Nursing Home

Losing a parent, spouse, or other loved one in a nursing home is painful under any circumstances. When the death is sudden, unexplained, or does not match what the facility is telling you, grief is often mixed with confusion and anger. In these moments, many families start to ask whether negligence or abuse played a role and whether they should talk with a nursing home wrongful death attorney.

At McHugh Fuller Law Group, we help families in the Athens area look for answers when a nursing home or long-term care facility may have failed to protect a vulnerable resident. For more than 20 years, our firm has focused on holding powerful entities, including medical providers and nursing homes, accountable when their negligence harms people. We work to give families a clear path forward, one step at a time, during an incredibly difficult chapter of their lives.

Contact us today at (601) 255-0240 to schedule a free consultation.

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What Is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. In the nursing home context, wrongful death often stems from abuse, neglect, understaffing, inadequate medical care, or failure to protect residents from foreseeable harm.

Georgia law allows surviving family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a nursing home’s misconduct causes a resident’s death. These cases focus on the full value of the life of the deceased, rather than solely on the losses suffered by the family. An Athens nursing home wrongful death lawyer can evaluate whether the nursing home violated state or federal care standards and whether those violations directly contributed to your loved one’s death.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Nursing Homes

Nursing home residents are among the most vulnerable members of society. When facilities cut corners or ignore warning signs, the consequences can be fatal. Common causes of nursing home wrongful death include:

Neglect and Malnutrition

Failure to provide adequate food, hydration, and assistance with eating can lead to starvation, dehydration, organ failure, or weakened immune systems.

Untreated Infections

Bedsores, urinary tract infections, sepsis, and pneumonia can become deadly when staff fail to recognize symptoms or delay treatment.

Falls and Physical Injuries

Poor supervision, unsafe environments, and failure to assist residents with mobility can result in fatal falls, head injuries, or internal bleeding.

Medication Errors

Administering incorrect dosages, failing to monitor drug interactions, or skipping medications altogether can have life-threatening consequences.

Physical or Sexual Abuse

Abuse by staff or other residents can result in fatal injuries, severe trauma, or complications that ultimately lead to death.

Failure to Monitor Medical Conditions

Residents with chronic illnesses or cognitive impairments require close monitoring. Ignoring changes in condition can allow treatable issues to become fatal emergencies.

Our Athens nursing home wrongful death lawyer can investigate staffing records, medical charts, inspection reports, and surveillance footage to uncover the true cause of death.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?

Georgia law strictly defines who has the right to file a wrongful death claim. Typically, the following parties may bring a lawsuit:

The surviving spouse of the deceased
If no spouse exists, the children of the deceased
If there is no spouse or children, the parents of the deceased
If no immediate family members are available, the estate representative may pursue certain claims

Wrongful death cases in Georgia often involve two separate claims: one for the full value of the deceased’s life and another for estate-related losses such as medical bills and funeral expenses. Our Athens nursing home wrongful death attorney can ensure the correct claims are filed by the proper parties within the statute of limitations.

Compensation for Wrongful Death

While financial compensation can never replace your loved one, it can ease the burden left behind and hold negligent nursing homes accountable. Compensation in a Georgia nursing home wrongful death case may include:

Full Value of the Deceased’s Life

This includes both economic and non-economic aspects of life, such as lost income, benefits, enjoyment of life, and relationships.

Medical Expenses

Costs related to hospitalization, emergency care, or treatment before death may be recoverable through an estate claim.

Funeral and Burial Costs

Families may seek reimbursement for funeral, burial, or cremation expenses.

Pain and Suffering

If the resident endured pain, fear, or suffering before death, damages may be available through the estate.

Punitive Damages

In cases involving extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the nursing home and deter similar behavior.

An Athens nursing home wrongful death lawyer at McHugh Fuller Law Group will work to identify every available source of compensation and fight for the maximum recovery allowed under Georgia law.

How Nursing Homes Are Held Liable

Nursing homes are legally required to meet strict standards under Georgia regulations and federal laws, including the Nursing Home Reform Act. Facilities can be held liable for wrongful death when they:

Fail to properly train or supervise staff
Maintain unsafe or unsanitary conditions
Ignore known risks to residents
Falsify records or conceal abuse or neglect
Violate resident rights

Our legal team conducts thorough investigations and often works with medical experts, elder care specialists, and financial professionals to build strong cases against negligent facilities.

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Founding attorneys Jim McHugh and Mike Fuller have gone up against hospitals, corporations, and national defense firms - and won. Their work has led to millions recovered and real accountability.

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Why Choose McHugh Fuller Law Group?

Wrongful death cases involving nursing homes are complex and emotionally challenging. At McHugh Fuller Law Group, we approach every case with compassion, determination, and attention to detail. When you work with an Athens nursing home wrongful death lawyer from our firm, you can expect:

Personalized attention and clear communication
A thorough investigation of nursing home misconduct
Skilled negotiation with insurance companies and defense attorneys
Trial-ready representation if a fair settlement is not offered

We understand the pain families face after losing a loved one and are committed to seeking justice on your behalf.

To talk with McHugh Fuller Law Group about a possible nursing home wrongful death claim, call (601) 255-0240.

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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Proven Track Record

Successfully resolved more than a thousand cases for our clients
$91,500,000 Verdict Wrongful Death Case

Lawyers with over $100 Million in combined verdicts
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Decades of combined experience taking cases all the way to trial, if necessary

$1.2 Million Arbitration Nursing Home Abuse
$91,500,000 + Verdict Wrongful Death Case

Why Families Trust Our Firm After A Nursing Home Death

Families who reach out to us are often dealing with two heavy burdens at once. They are grieving a loss and they are also carrying a growing list of questions about what really happened inside the facility. They are not looking for legal jargon. They are looking for a team that will listen, explain their options, and then stand up to the nursing home and its corporate owners if negligence caused the death.

Our firm has spent more than two decades taking on large and well defended organizations, including nursing homes, hospitals, and other medical providers. These cases can involve complex medical records, corporate policies, and insurance company tactics that are designed to avoid responsibility. We are used to that landscape, and our goal is to level the playing field for families who would otherwise be outmatched. When we describe ourselves as relentless advocates, we mean that we are prepared to keep pushing until we have fully explored what went wrong and who should be held accountable.

We also focus on the voice of the resident and the family. Nursing home residents are among the most vulnerable members of our communities. When they are harmed, they often cannot speak for themselves, especially if they live with dementia or serious illness. We work to make sure that their story is told clearly and that the family’s concerns are heard in any legal process. For a family looking for a nursing home wrongful death lawyer who will take their concerns seriously, this focus on vulnerable clients can be an important factor in choosing a firm.