Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit Settlements

If your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a Georgia nursing home, you may be entitled to take legal action. At Nursing Home Law Center, our legal team focuses exclusively on representing victims of long-term care abuse and neglect. We help families pursue Georgia nursing home abuse lawsuit settlements to hold facilities accountable for the harm they’ve allowed. 

Our experienced lawyers are here to help you explore your legal options and guide you through the process of seeking justice.

Settlement and Verdicts Recovered by Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Our Georgia nursing home abuse lawyers have extensive experience representing victims and families in cases involving abuse or neglect, with a proven track record of securing fair settlements throughout the state.

• $1,700,000 Settlement – Lena, an elderly woman in a Fulton County nursing home, suffered a serious fall while unsupervised, resulting in a subdural hematoma and hip fracture. The facility failed to implement fall precautions despite clear fall risk indicators in her medical records. The nursing home’s failure to provide adequate supervision and basic care significantly impacted the settlement value. 
• $1,250,000 Settlement – Charles, a resident with swallowing difficulties, died after choking during an unsupervised meal at a Chatham County nursing home. Staff failed to follow his prescribed dietary restrictions. A wrongful death claim was filed, highlighting the nursing home’s repeated noncompliance with Georgia Department of Community Health regulations. The case settled before trial, giving the family a measure of closure.
• $710,200 Settlement – Gloria, a nursing facility patient with dementia, was sexually assaulted by a staff memberwith a documented criminal background. The facility had hired the individual without conducting a proper background check, a clear violation of Georgia staffing laws. Her family filed a nursing home abuse lawsuit, citing the nursing home’s negligence in hiring and supervision. The case settled after evidence confirmed repeated oversight failures.

What Types of Financial Compensation Can Be Recovered Through Georgia Nursing Home Settlements?

When a nursing home resident suffers abuse or neglect, the impact extends beyond physical injuries. Georgia nursing home settlements often include compensation for a range of losses that affect both the victim and their family. These claims can help recover costs related to medical care, the emotional toll of trauma, and expenses tied to moving a loved one to a safer environment.

Medical Expenses

Many nursing home abuse and neglect cases involve serious injuries such as broken bones, pressure sores, or severe burn injuries. Victims may require emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, or long-term treatment. 

Nursing home settlements in Georgia can help cover these medical bills, including costs for rehabilitation, medications, and necessary follow-up care. In wrongful death cases, families may also seek compensation for the medical care their loved one received prior to passing.

Emotional Toll

The psychological effects of nursing home abuse are often lasting. Victims may suffer from depression, anxiety, or worsening mental illness after being harmed by those entrusted with their care. Family members can experience guilt, anger, and emotional distress as well. 

Georgia nursing home settlements can include compensation for this emotional trauma, recognizing the deep personal impact abuse and neglect can have on everyone involved.

Relocation Costs

After discovering abuse or neglect, many families choose to remove their loved one from the facility immediately. Moving a resident to a different facility or arranging for alternative care can result in sudden and unplanned expenses. 

A settlement can help cover the financial burden of relocation, including transportation, admission fees, and additional care costs, allowing families to focus on their loved one’s safety and recovery.

What Is the Average Settlement for Nursing Home Abuse in Georgia?

According to Law.com’s VerdictSearch, the average settlement or verdict in Georgia nursing home abuse cases is approximately $9.78 million, with a median of $2.75 million. Reported values vary widely, from $500,000 to $47 million, showing how potential compensation can differ significantly based on several key factors.

Several factors affect the value of a nursing home abuse settlement:

• Type and severity of injury: Cases involving wrongful death, permanent disability, or serious injury, such as decubitus ulcers, severe burn injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, often result in higher settlements.
• Evidence of neglect or abuse: Strong proof of the nursing home’s failure–such as ignored care plans, falsified medical records, or staff misconduct–can increase the settlement amount.
• Age and health of the resident: A younger resident with a longer life expectancy may result in higher damages, particularly if future care costs are substantial.
• Economic and non-economic damages: Medical bills, burial expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional trauma all factor into the total compensation.
• Effective legal representation: Having an experienced Georgia nursing home abuse lawyer can make a significant difference in negotiating settlements or presenting a case at trial.

Example Nursing Home Lawsuit Settlements and Verdicts

$43.5 Million Verdict – Malnutrition, Dehydration, and Neglect Lead to Resident’s Death

Eighty-two-year-old Morris Ellison died after suffering malnutrition, dehydration, and an untreated broken hip while residing at Moran Lake Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. His daughter, Loretta Terhune, filed a lawsuit against owner George Houser and multiple related entities, alleging neglect, mismanagement, and misuse of Medicaid funds. 

Testimony revealed severe understaffing, lack of food and medical care, and unsanitary conditions. The jury found Houser intentionally violated Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act, awarding $43,526,540.33 in damages, including punitive damages and compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and funeral costs.

$15.3 Million Verdict – Life Care Center Found Liable for Fatal Pressure Sores and Sepsis 

Lucille Dubose, 77, died from sepsis, dehydration, and infection caused by untreated pressure sores while at Life Care Center of Lawrenceville. Her daughter, Michelle McKinney, filed a nursing home negligence and wrongful death claim, alleging chronic understaffing, falsified records, and failure to follow care plans. 

Testimony from former employees and experts confirmed systemic neglect and preventable injuries. The jury awarded $15,319,500, later reduced to $6.4 million under Georgia’s punitive damages cap, including compensation for pain and suffering, wrongful death, and litigation expenses.

$9.5 Million Verdict – Untreated Bedsores Cause Death of Assisted Living Resident

Charlotte Pauline Dean, a 51-year-old woman with cerebral palsy, died from sepsis and pneumonia caused by untreated pressure ulcers while under the joint care of Country Crossing Assisted Living and Hutcheson Home Health Care. Her estate representative argued that both entities failed to provide proper wound care, violating basic medical standards. 

The jury found both defendants negligent, assigning 55% liability to the facility owner and 45% to the home health agency. The total award reached $9,502,683, including $4 million for pain and suffering, $5.5 million for wrongful death, and funeral expenses.

What Types of Elder Abuse or Neglect Can Be Grounds for a Nursing Home Lawsuit?

Elder abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility can take many forms, each with serious consequences. Whether the harm is physical, emotional, financial, or due to neglect, families may have the right to pursue a nursing home lawsuit. Understanding the different types of abuse and neglect can help you recognize the warning signs and take legal action if your loved one has suffered.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the intentional use of force that results in injury, pain, or impairment. Common examples include hitting, shoving, slapping, or improper use of restraints. Nursing home residents may show signs like bruises, broken bones, or unexplained injuries. If a family member has suffered nursing home abuse of this kind, a legal claim may be filed to hold the facility and responsible staff accountable.

Emotional Abuse

Verbal assaults, threats, isolation, and humiliation can cause deep emotional harm to elderly residents. Emotional abuseoften goes unnoticed but can lead to depression, anxiety, and withdrawal. Staff who belittle residents, ignore their needs, or use intimidation tactics may be liable. A nursing home abuse claim can help address the emotional pain inflicted on your loved one.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse occurs when someone exploits or steals from a nursing home resident. This may involve unauthorized withdrawals, forged checks, or coercing the resident into changing their will. Facilities have a duty to protect residents from financial risk. When they fail to do so, nursing home litigation may be necessary to recover stolen funds and prevent further harm.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in nursing homes is one of the most disturbing forms of abuse. It can involve any non-consensual sexual contact, often targeting residents with cognitive impairments. Facilities that fail to conduct proper background checks or supervise staff can be held liable. 

Nursing home lawsuits involving sexual assault can also pursue punitive damages for the emotional and physical trauma caused.

Nursing Home Neglect 

Neglect happens when a facility fails to provide the care a resident needs. This includes inadequate nutrition, failure to turn immobile patients, poor hygiene, missed medications, or failure to respond to medical concerns. 

Nursing home neglect often results in pressure sores, infections, or other injuries. A nursing home neglect settlement may help families recover damages and push for better care standards.

Wrongful Death

When nursing home negligence leads to a resident’s death, surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit. These cases often involve untreated infections, dehydration, falls, or other preventable conditions. 

Nursing home wrongful death claims may include compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the full value of the resident’s life. Holding the facility accountable can help protect other vulnerable residents.

What Laws Protect Georgia Nursing Home Residents?

Georgia nursing home patients are protected by a combination of state laws, which define what qualifies as neglect or abuse, set reporting requirements, and give families the right to pursue legal action. When a loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home facility, understanding these laws can be a key step in deciding how to move forward.

According to O.C.G.A. § 31-8-81, abuse is defined as:

“Any intentional or grossly negligent act or series of acts or intentional or grossly negligent omission to act which causes injury to a resident, including, but not limited to, assault or battery, failure to provide treatment or care, or sexual harassment of the resident.”

Victims and their families typically have two years from the injury date—or the date the injury was discovered—to file a nursing home lawsuit in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). This time limit also applies to wrongful death cases.

Several state and federal agencies oversee the operation, safety, and quality of care in Georgia nursing homes. These entities are responsible for licensing facilities, investigating complaints, enforcing care standards, and protecting the rights of residents.

• Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH): The Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) of the Georgia DCH is responsible for licensing, inspecting, and regulating nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the state. HFRD conducts routine inspections and investigates complaints related to abuse, neglect, medical errors, staffing violations, and other safety concerns. If a facility violates regulations, the DCH can issue fines, place the facility on probation, or revoke its license. You can submit a complaint against the facility through their online reporting system.
• Georgia Division of Aging Services – Adult Protective Services (APS): APS investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation involving adults age 65 and older, including incidents that occur in nursing homes or assisted living settings. While APS primarily handles abuse in non-institutional settings, it works closely with other agencies when a report involves a long-term care facility. Report suspected abuse online or by calling 1-866-552-4464.
• Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman serves as an advocate for nursing home and assisted living residents. Ombudsmen investigate complaints, visit facilities, educate residents about their rights, and help resolve problems related to care, transfers, billing, and mistreatment. Their services are free and confidential.
• Georgia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU): The MFCU investigates and prosecutes Medicaid fraud and patient abuse in facilities that receive Medicaid funding. This includes physical abuse, financial exploitation, and fraudulent billing practices.

What Is the Legal Process of Filing a Nursing Home Lawsuit in Georgia?

The process begins with a free legal consultation. This gives family members the chance to speak with a nursing home lawyer about what happened, when the injury occurred, and any warning signs of abuse or neglect. Our experienced attorneys will ask questions, review initial details, and determine whether there’s enough evidence to move forward with a nursing home abuse claim. 

If the case moves forward, our law firm will begin a detailed investigation to understand what happened and who is responsible. This includes requesting and reviewing records to track the resident’s condition and treatment history, speaking with witnesses or facility staff, and consulting with experts in nursing home care, elder medicine, or forensic analysis.

Many nursing home abuse cases involve more than just a single staff member. The lawsuit may name the nursing home facility, corporate owners, management companies, or third-party contractors. A skilled nursing home lawyer will identify all parties that may share liability and include them in the case. 

Once the investigation supports a claim, your attorney will formally file a nursing home lawsuit in the appropriate Georgia court. The complaint outlines the allegations—such as nursing home negligence, wrongful death, or medical malpractice—and details the injuries suffered. Defendants are served and given time to respond. 

Many nursing home abuse settlements are reached outside of court. Once both sides have evaluated the evidence, your attorney may begin negotiating settlements with the facility’s legal team or insurance company.

If a fair settlement can’t be reached, the case may proceed to trial. Our experienced lawyers will present the evidence to a jury, call expert witnesses, and argue for the compensation your family deserves.

How Much Does Legal Representation Cost?

At Nursing Home Law Center, we represent families on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and we only receive a fee if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or trial verdict. There are no hourly charges or hidden costs. Our legal team is committed to helping you seek justice without adding financial pressure during an already difficult time.

Book a Free Consultation and Seek Justice for Your Elderly Loved One

If your loved one has been abused or neglected in a Georgia nursing home, you don’t have to face it alone. Our nursing home abuse attorneys are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your rights. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you take the first step toward accountability and healing.