A report by a federal watchdog agency says that people in risk of serious injury in nursing homes within the state of Georgia may not be able to depend on the state for help. Georgia has been notoriously slow to investigate nursing homes, despite a federal mandate stating an investigation must commence within two days of a reported complaint.
An analysis released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that it took Georgia 15 or more days to send an investigator in hundreds of cases. Only the state of Tennessee had a worse track record. For its part, the state’s Department of Community Health blames job vacancies, low pay and high turnover for their slow response. A written statement details a clearing of the backlog of cases thanks to a state allocation of millions of dollars.
Combined, Georgia and Tennessee received 912 complaints of immediate jeopardy. They were late to investigate 654 of those complaints. One woman who filed a complaint on behalf of her mother wasn’t surprised at the news. She said not only did the investigation take long, but that getting through to anyone was an issue. She blames the political clout of an industry that is known to make large contributions to some of the most powerful politicians in the state.
If you believe that a loved one is being abused in an Atlanta nursing home, reach out to our experienced team of attorneys. We will review your case, advise you of your legal rights and help you file any necessary paperwork.