Home Healthcare Abuse Attorneys in Marietta, Georgia
At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our personal injury attorneys represent individuals and families in Marietta and throughout Georgia who have discovered that their loved ones were harmed by the very people entrusted to care for them in their homes. Home health care abuse is a deeply personal betrayal. It takes place behind closed doors, often in quiet neighborhoods, and typically targets those least able to defend themselves—elderly, disabled, or chronically ill individuals who rely on caregivers for everyday support.
Home care services are on the rise in Georgia. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 4.5 million people receive care in their homes across the U.S., a number expected to increase as the population ages. While many home health workers provide compassionate, responsible care, there are devastating exceptions—abuse, neglect, and exploitation that can go unchecked for months or even years.
We help families expose this abuse, pursue justice, and protect their loved ones from further harm, starting with a free consultation.
Understanding the Different Forms of Home Health Care Abuse
Home health care abuse can take many forms, not all of which involve physical harm. In many cases, the signs are subtle and gradually worsen over time. Abuse may be intentional or result from gross negligence. In either case, it is unacceptable.
This includes hitting, slapping, restraining, or using excessive force. In-home caregivers may physically harm patients in moments of frustration or impatience, or as part of a pattern of violence.
- Emotional and Psychological Abuse
Verbal insults, threats, humiliation, or purposeful isolation from family and friends can inflict long-lasting psychological damage. Victims may become withdrawn, fearful, or confused, which is often mistaken for worsening dementia or illness.
Failure to provide basic care—such as hygiene, nutrition, medication, or mobility assistance—can lead to malnutrition, infections, bedsores, and rapid health decline. Neglect is one of the most common forms of in-home abuse.
Unscrupulous caregivers may steal from patients, forge checks, pressure individuals into changing wills or accounts, or misuse debit cards. According to the National Council on Aging, seniors lose an estimated $2.9 billion annually to financial abuse, much of it perpetrated by caregivers.
Though rare, sexual abuse by a home health aide is one of the most serious violations imaginable. It is essential to treat any allegations or suspicions with urgency and confidentiality.
Our team handles each type of abuse with discretion, empathy, and a firm commitment to holding wrongdoers accountable.
Common Warning Signs of Abuse in Home Health Settings
Families often feel caught off guard by abuse because warning signs can be masked by medical conditions, memory loss, or social isolation. Being proactive in identifying red flags can protect your loved one.
Look for:
- Unexplained bruises, burns, or cuts.
- Sudden weight loss or dehydration.
- Frequent infections or recurring bedsores.
- Withdrawal, anxiety, or changes in mood.
- Unsanitary living conditions or signs of poor hygiene.
- Missed medical appointments or medication errors.
- Unusual financial activity or missing personal items.
- Reluctance to be alone with a specific caregiver.
If you observe any of these signs, it’s critical to trust your instincts and begin documenting what you see. Then, consult our qualified home health care abuse attorneys in Marietta to explore your legal options.
Who May Be Liable for Home Health Care Abuse?
Responsibility for home care abuse doesn’t always rest solely with the individual caregiver.
Liability may also extend to:
When agencies fail to screen, train, supervise, or discipline their employees, they may be liable for placing an unqualified or dangerous individual in a vulnerable person’s home. Agencies have a legal duty to monitor care quality and respond to complaints.
- Caregiver Placement Services
Some companies act as middlemen, matching caregivers with clients without employing them directly. If these services fail to vet caregivers or misrepresent their qualifications, they may share the responsibility for resulting harm.
Even when a family hires a caregiver privately, the individual may be personally liable for abusive or negligent behavior. Civil claims can result in compensation and, in severe cases, lead to criminal investigations.
Determining who is legally responsible is the first step toward accountability. Our team conducts thorough investigations to uncover agency histories, caregiver records, and communication logs that can point to negligence or systemic failure.
The Impact of In-Home Abuse on Victims and Families
The effects of home health care abuse go far beyond physical injury. Victims often suffer emotional trauma, loss of dignity, and a deep sense of betrayal. Families are left grappling with guilt, anger, and confusion about how the abuse occurred under their watch.
For vulnerable individuals, abuse can hasten physical decline or exacerbate existing health conditions. In some cases, it leads to premature death. The emotional fallout can cause social withdrawal, increased dependence, or loss of trust in others, even among individuals with cognitive impairment.
Families deserve justice, not just compensation for medical expenses and pain, but a sense of closure and assurance that safeguards will be put in place to protect others in the future.
Legal Remedies Available in Georgia Home Health Care Abuse Cases
If your loved one has been abused or neglected by a caregiver in Georgia, legal action may include:
- Compensatory damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, or stolen assets.
- Punitive damages in egregious cases involving willful misconduct.
- Injunctive relief to prevent the caregiver or agency from working with vulnerable individuals.
- Reporting to licensing boards or state regulatory agencies to trigger investigations.
Our firm works with medical experts, financial analysts, and private investigators to build a strong case reflecting the full scope of your losses. We manage every detail while protecting your loved one’s dignity and privacy.
Georgia Laws That Govern In-Home Care and Elder Abuse
Georgia has laws designed to protect those who receive in-home services:
We ensure that civil actions are coordinated, when necessary, with state investigations and reporting duties. Our role is to be your advocate and guide at every stage, beginning with a free consultation.
Why Choose Ashby Thelen Lowry for a Home Health Care Abuse Case?
We understand how painful and overwhelming it can be to discover that a loved one has been mistreated in their own home. You trusted a caregiver to provide comfort and support, and that trust was broken.
At Ashby Thelen Lowry, we take these violations personally. We’re not just looking for financial results; we want meaningful justice that acknowledges your family’s suffering. We limit the number of cases we accept to give each one the attention it deserves, and we pursue claims with a thorough, trial-ready approach.
Contact Our Marietta Home Health Care Abuse Attorneys Today
If you believe a caregiver in Georgia harmed your loved one, don’t wait. Time-sensitive evidence, including medical records and financial data, can quickly disappear.
Contact our experienced Cobb County home health care abuse attorneys at Ashby Thelen Lowry by calling (404) 777-7771 or online to schedule a free consultation. We will listen, investigate, and fight to protect your loved one—and your family’s future.
