If you suspect that your loved one has been abused in an Atlanta nursing home or assisted living facility, then I encourage you to report the abuse with the Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation, at 1-800-878-6442. You may also file a complaint against the facility online, at dch.georgia.gov.
The Department of Community Health, or DCH, keeps your report and identity confidential, so do not fear providing your name and contact information. If the DCH determines that the facility’s conduct or the specific occurrence violates Georgia law, the DCH will assign an investigator. Sometimes, depending on the seriousness of the situation, this can happen within 24 hours.
The DCH investigator will interview personnel, residents, and others to determine whether abuse or neglect occurred. If the complaint is not substantiated, then the DCH will work with your loved one to determine whether remaining in that facility is the best option moving forward. If the complaint reveals violation of the law, then the facility can be cited, prosecuted, or shut down.
You can research whether a particular nursing home or assisted living facility has been investigated or cited on the DCH’s website at dch.georgia.gov.
Keep in mind that the injured resident has the right to refuse services offered by the DCH.
If you suspect that your loved one has been abused, and you are not sure where to turn, please do not hesitate to call and speak to one of our experienced nursing home lawyers today.
