Elder Abuse & Neglect

Elder Abuse Attorney in Augusta, GA

Legal Help When Your Loved One Is Not Safe

If you are worried that an elderly parent or relative is being mistreated in a nursing home or care facility, you are not alone. Families across the Augusta area face the same fears when they see unexplained injuries, bedsores, or sudden changes in behavior. It can be hard to know whether what you are seeing is elder neglect or abuse, and what to do next.

At McHugh Fuller Law Group, we help families who suspect their loved ones have been harmed in long-term care settings. Our attorneys have spent more than 20 years taking on negligent nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and medical providers that fail to protect vulnerable seniors. We work to hold powerful companies accountable, so families are not left to face these situations on their own.

We understand how heavy this feels. Our goal is to listen, explain your options in clear terms, and help you decide how to protect your loved one and your family. You do not have to sort through this alone.

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

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What is Considered Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is any intentional act—or failure to act—that causes harm or creates a serious risk of harm to an older adult. Abuse can occur in many settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, private residences, and medical facilities. In many cases, abuse goes unreported because victims may be afraid, isolated, or unable to communicate what is happening.

Common types of elder abuse include:

Physical abuse: Hitting, slapping, pushing, restraining, or improperly administering medications
Emotional or psychological abuse: Threats, intimidation, humiliation, isolation, or verbal harassment
Sexual abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact involving an elderly person
Neglect: Failure to provide basic needs such as food, water, hygiene, medication, or medical care
Financial exploitation: Theft, fraud, coercion, or misuse of an elderly person’s money or assets

Neglect is one of the most common and dangerous forms of elder abuse. It may involve understaffing in nursing homes, ignoring medical needs, or failing to prevent bedsores, falls, dehydration, or infections. Our Augusta elder abuse attorney can investigate whether neglect or abuse played a role in your loved one’s injuries or decline.

Georgia Elder Abuse Law

Georgia law provides strong protections for elderly individuals. Under the Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation are taken seriously, and certain professionals—such as healthcare workers and caregivers—are required to report suspected abuse.

In addition to criminal penalties, elder abuse can also give rise to civil claims, allowing victims or their families to seek compensation for harm suffered. Depending on the circumstances, an elder abuse case in Georgia may involve:

Nursing home negligence or abuse
Medical malpractice
Personal injury claims
Wrongful death claims

Civil elder abuse claims focus on accountability and financial recovery. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, costs of relocation to a safer facility, and other damages. An experienced Augusta elder abuse lawyer can evaluate how Georgia law applies to your case and explain your legal options.

Who is Liable for Elder Abuse?

Liability for elder abuse depends on where and how the abuse occurred. In many cases, more than one party may be legally responsible. Potentially liable parties include:

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities that fail to properly hire, train, or supervise staff
Individual caregivers or staff members who directly commit abuse or neglect
Medical providers whose negligence leads to serious harm
Facility owners or management companies that prioritize profits over resident safety

Georgia law allows facilities to be held accountable not only for abusive employees, but also for systemic problems such as chronic understaffing, inadequate training, and unsafe conditions. McHugh Fuller Law Group thoroughly investigates elder abuse cases to identify all responsible parties and pursue full compensation.

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse and Neglect

Families are often the first line of defense against elder abuse. Warning signs may include:

Unexplained bruises, fractures, or injuries
Sudden weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition
Bedsores or poor hygiene
Changes in behavior, mood, or alertness
Fear or anxiety around specific caregivers
Unusual financial transactions or missing belongings

If you notice these signs, it is important to take action immediately. An Augusta elder abuse lawyer can help determine whether abuse or neglect is occurring and what steps should be taken to protect your loved one.

What to Do If Your Elderly Loved One Is Being Abused

If you suspect elder abuse or neglect, taking prompt action can help prevent further harm:

Ensure immediate safety. If your loved one is in danger, remove them from the situation if possible or seek emergency medical care.
Document everything. Take photos of injuries, keep medical records, and write down concerning observations.
Report the abuse. Abuse can be reported to Adult Protective Services or appropriate state agencies in Georgia.
Consult an Augusta elder abuse lawyer. An attorney can investigate the abuse, preserve evidence, and handle communication with facilities and insurers.

Legal action not only helps your family recover compensation but also helps protect other vulnerable seniors from similar harm.

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How We Help Families Facing Neglect

When a family reaches out to us about possible neglect or abuse, they are usually scared and uncertain. We start by listening carefully to what you have seen and what the facility has told you. Then we talk through whether the signs point toward neglect, abuse, or another form of wrongful conduct that may need legal attention from an elder neglect attorney.

Our firm has spent decades handling negligence cases against nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and medical providers. That experience helps us understand how these facilities operate and where serious breakdowns in care often occur. We know that many families feel powerless when facing a large company that owns several facilities, and we work to rebalance that situation.

In many matters, we review medical records, facility policies, and other available information to understand how and why harm occurred. We also look at patterns, for example, whether a facility appears to be understaffed or has a history of similar complaints. Our attorneys stay focused on the central question, whether a company or provider failed to meet basic standards of care and allowed a vulnerable senior to be harmed.

Throughout the process, we keep your loved one and your family at the center of every decision. We explain what is happening in plain language and discuss options before major steps are taken. Families tell us that having a senior abuse attorney they can call with questions, and who is not afraid to confront powerful entities, provides both guidance and peace of mind.

To talk with our Augusta elder abuse attorney about your concerns, 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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