Georgia Nursing Home Wrongful Death Lawyer

What is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. In the context of nursing homes, wrongful death typically involves preventable incidents—such as neglect, abuse, or medical errors—that lead to the untimely death of a resident.

Under Georgia law, the surviving family members of the deceased have the legal right to pursue compensation for their loss. A wrongful death claim may be filed by a spouse, child, or in some cases, a personal representative of the estate. The purpose of this claim is not only to seek financial compensation, but to hold responsible parties accountable and to prevent future harm to other vulnerable residents.

Common Causes of Nursing Home Wrongful Death

Nursing home residents are often elderly or medically fragile, which makes them especially vulnerable to negligence or mistreatment. Some of the most common causes of wrongful death in Georgia nursing homes include:

• Medical Malpractice: Improper medication administration, delayed treatment, misdiagnosis, or failure to monitor residents’ health can result in fatal outcomes. Inadequately trained or understaffed medical teams can significantly increase the likelihood of these errors.
• Infections: Infections like sepsis, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections can become deadly if left untreated. Many nursing home deaths from infection are preventable with proper hygiene and medical attention.
• Malnutrition and Dehydration: Neglecting a resident’s basic nutritional and hydration needs can lead to organ failure, weakened immune systems, and death. Malnutrition often indicates systemic neglect or understaffing.
• Falls and Injuries: A lack of fall prevention measures, such as bed rails or mobility support, can lead to fatal head injuries, broken hips, or internal bleeding. Residents who fall are often left unattended for hours, compounding the harm.
• Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers): Untreated bedsores can lead to deadly infections like sepsis. These sores are preventable with routine repositioning and attentive care.
• Physical or Emotional Abuse: Intentional harm, such as hitting, pushing, or emotional torment, can have fatal consequences, especially in already frail individuals. Abuse may also contribute to depression, failure to thrive, or suicide.
• Elopement and Wandering: When residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s wander off due to poor supervision, they may suffer fatal injuries or exposure. Nursing homes are legally required to implement safety protocols to prevent such incidents.

Recovering Compensation

If your loved one has died due to suspected nursing home negligence or abuse, you may be entitled to recover damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. At McHugh Fuller Law Group, we understand that no amount of money can ever replace your loss—but financial compensation can relieve the burden of medical bills, funeral costs, and lost companionship.

Damages may include:

• Medical expenses related to the final illness or injury
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support or benefits
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Pain and suffering (in some cases)
• Punitive damages (if conduct was particularly egregious)

Our Georgia nursing home wrongful death lawyers conduct thorough investigations, consult medical experts, and aggressively pursue compensation from negligent nursing homes, administrators, and staff members. We are committed to securing justice and helping you move forward with dignity.