Common Nursing Home Violations

Consult with a Georgia Nursing Home Violations Lawyer Today

Suthers & Harper has built its reputation on protecting some of the most vulnerable members of society: elderly residents in nursing homes. For more than 25 years, our attorneys have represented families throughout Georgia and South Carolina in cases involving serious abuse and neglect. When facilities cut corners or ignore safety rules, residents can suffer life-changing harm. A Georgia nursing home violations lawyer can investigate these failures and fight to hold facilities accountable.

Common Nursing Home Violations

Nursing home violations take many forms, and each one can endanger residents’ health or dignity. At Suthers & Harper, we handle cases involving understaffing, medication errors, physical and chemical restraints, falsified records, sexual abuse, poor infection control, inadequate care plans, choking and aspiration, isolation, emergency preparedness failures, and improper wound care.

Staffing Shortages That Create Dangerous Conditions

One of the most frequent violations in nursing homes is the failure to provide enough qualified

Staff. Understaffing leaves residents unsupervised, leading to falls, malnutrition, dehydration, and injuries that could have been prevented with proper care. Federal law requires facilities to maintain staffing levels that meet residents’ needs, yet surveys show that many facilities in Georgia fall short.

Misuse of Medication and Chemical Restraints

Nursing homes sometimes administer powerful antipsychotics or sedatives for staff convenience rather than for legitimate medical reasons. This practice, known as chemical restraint, violates federal regulations. Improper use of these drugs can lead to dangerous side effects, including falls, strokes, and premature death.

Overmedication and chemical restraints are often hidden from families until residents show signs of sudden decline. Lawyers reviewing these cases frequently uncover medication logs that reveal patterns of misuse.

Physical Restraints Used Illegally

Federal guidelines prohibit the use of physical restraints unless they are necessary to treat a medical condition or to ensure the safety of the individual. Despite this, some facilities continue to use belts, straps, or restrictive chairs to control residents. Physical restraint can cause injuries, muscle atrophy, and psychological trauma.

Falsified Records and Attempts to Cover Up Neglect

Another troubling violation involves staff altering or falsifying records to hide neglect. Medication charts, incident reports, and care logs may be changed to make it appear that a resident received proper treatment. These cover-ups often surface during investigations or litigation.

Falsified records not only harm the immediate resident but also endanger others by allowing unsafe practices to continue without correction. This conduct demonstrates deliberate disregard for patient safety.

Sexual Abuse and Assault in Facilities

Sexual abuse of nursing home residents is one of the most devastating violations. Because many residents cannot communicate efficiently, these crimes often go unreported. Warning signs include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior, or fear of particular staff members.

Failure to Create and Follow Care Plans

Federal law requires nursing homes to develop individualized care plans for each resident. These plans address medical needs, dietary restrictions, and mobility issues. When facilities ignore this requirement, residents may miss medications, receive improper diets, or suffer preventable injuries.

Spread of Infections in Nursing Homes

Infections such as pneumonia, MRSA, and sepsis remain among the leading causes of hospitalization for nursing home residents. CMS has reported that infection control deficiencies are among the most frequently cited violations during inspections. Many facilities lack adequate handwashing policies, isolation procedures, or cleaning protocols.

Risks of Choking and Aspiration Incidents

Residents with swallowing disorders or specific medication regimens require supervision during meals. Without proper monitoring, they face a serious risk of choking or aspiration. Aspiration pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in nursing homes nationwide.

Social Isolation and Neglect of Emotional Needs

While physical health is essential, federal regulations also require facilities to meet residents’ emotional and social needs. Isolation caused by understaffing or neglect can result in depression, withdrawal, and cognitive decline. Social isolation in nursing homes is a violation that diminishes quality of life and may accelerate medical deterioration.

Failure to Prepare for Emergencies

Nursing homes must have written emergency preparedness plans to protect residents during disasters. Power outages, severe weather, and other emergencies place residents at risk when facilities lack adequate backup systems or evacuation procedures. Emergency preparedness failures have led to tragic outcomes in several states, including Georgia.

Improper Wound Care and Pressure Ulcer Neglect

Untreated bedsores and wounds are among the most visible signs of neglect. Immobile residents must be repositioned regularly to prevent pressure ulcers. When staff ignore this responsibility, wounds can worsen into infections requiring hospitalization or even amputation.

These violations reflect systemic neglect, and our attorneys have the experience and resources to pursue justice in each type of case.

Consult a Georgia Nursing Home Violations Lawyer Today

Families place their trust in nursing homes to protect and care for elderly loved ones, but violations of basic safety standards often lead to serious harm. At Suthers & Harper, we have built a reputation for taking on some of the most difficult abuse and neglect cases in Georgia and South Carolina. Our firm has the financial strength and trial experience needed to uncover systemic violations, challenge negligent corporations, and pursue justice for residents. Call 800.320.2384 today to consult a Georgia nursing home violations lawyer and learn how we can help protect your family’s rights.