The #1 Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Alan Holcomb leads our Atlanta Elder Abuse Attorneys at TorHoerman Law, bringing over a decade of experience handling high-stakes cases involving nursing home neglect, medical malpractice, and wrongful death.

Alan has represented clients across the country in matters involving vulnerable victims, including elderly residents who suffered preventable harm in long-term care settings.

His background in complex personal injury litigation makes him a powerful advocate for families seeking to hold responsible parties accountable when nursing home abuse occurs.

At TorHoerman Law, we don’t rely on one attorney per case—we assign a team with diverse legal and medical backgrounds to investigate, evaluate, and build a strong nursing home abuse case from every angle.

This collaborative approach allows us to identify patterns of neglect, assess long-term damages, and pursue fair compensation for both the victim and their family members.

We understand the sensitivity required in nursing home abuse and elder neglect cases, and we work with urgency, care, and precision to protect the rights of nursing home residents.

Our legal team is committed to fighting for justice in cases of abuse, neglect, and wrongful death in assisted living facilities across Georgia.

Our Atlanta Elder Abuse Attorneys include:

• Eric Terry: Eric leads our single-event personal injury team, including nursing home abuse cases. He works directly with family members to develop customized legal strategies and demand accountability for negligent care facilities.
• Steve Davis: With more than 30 years of experience, Steve focuses on catastrophic harm and wrongful death caused by elder abuse. His litigation experience makes him a trusted advocate in holding long-term care facilities liable for neglect.
• Ken Brennan: Ken is a seasoned trial attorney with deep insight into how nursing homes and insurers defend claims. His methodical approach strengthens each case and prepares it for settlement or courtroom litigation.
• Chad Finley: Chad’s understanding of both legal and medical issues allows him to assess the long-term impact of neglect and medication errors. He builds strong cases that reflect the true scope of damage done to elderly victims.
• Tyler Schneider: As managing partner, Tyler ensures that every case benefits from clear communication and strategic direction. His leadership enhances our ability to support families seeking justice and financial recovery.

If your loved one has been harmed in a nursing facility, our law firm is here to provide experienced representation and take meaningful action.

Our Founder and Experienced Personal Injury Attorney: Tor Hoerman

Tor Hoerman is the founder of TorHoerman Law.

Under his leadership, our personal injury law firm has recovered more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients across the country.

Tor’s commitment to advocating for injured individuals has made him a leading figure in personal injury and mass tort litigation, holding powerful entities accountable and earning widespread recognition.

Through strategic legal representation and relentless pursuit of fair compensation, Tor Hoerman continues to fight for injury victims nationwide.

THL has grown to include offices in Edwardsville, IL; Chicago, IL; St. Louis, MO; and Atlanta (Marietta), GA.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Nursing Home Injury Attorney from TorHoerman Law?

Hiring an Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer from TorHoerman Law costs nothing upfront.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay legal fees if we recover compensation on your behalf.

This approach allows families to pursue justice without taking on financial risk during an already stressful time.

Our legal team covers the costs of building your case, including expert consultations and investigations, so you can focus on your loved one’s well-being. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.

Spotting nursing home abuse or neglect isn’t always easy. The signs may be physical, like pressure ulcers, unexplained bruises, or sudden weight loss.

In other cases, the signs may be behavioral — including withdrawal, anxiety, or fear around specific staff members.

Abuse can be physical, emotional, financial, or stem from neglect by nursing home attendants or medical professionals.

When serious injuries or signs of intentional harm appear, it’s important for family members to act quickly.

Many victims are unable or afraid to speak up for themselves.

If you suspect something is wrong, trust your instincts and take action to protect your loved one.

The following steps can help you address concerns and begin building a potential nursing home abuse case:

1. Document Everything: Write down changes in your loved one’s condition, take photos of any visible injuries, and keep records of conversations with staff.
2. Speak to Your Loved One Privately: Ask direct but compassionate questions about how they’re being treated and if they feel safe.
3. Raise Concerns with Facility Staff: Notify the nursing home administrator or director of nursing about your concerns and request a written response.
4. Report the Suspected Abuse: File a formal complaint with Georgia’s Department of Community Health and Adult Protective Services.
5. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If there are signs of serious injuries, take your loved one to an outside medical professional for evaluation.
6. Consult an Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer: An experienced attorney can help investigate the abuse, gather evidence, and take legal action against responsible parties.

How To Report Nursing Home Abuse in Atlanta

If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect in Atlanta, it’s crucial to report it promptly to protect the well-being of vulnerable residents.

Georgia provides several avenues for reporting such incidents, ensuring that appropriate authorities can investigate and take necessary actions.

Whether the abuse occurs in a private residence or a long-term care facility, there are dedicated resources to handle these reports.

Reports can be made confidentially, and in some cases, anonymously, to safeguard the reporter’s identity.

Immediate reporting can prevent further harm and initiate the process of accountability for those responsible.

Resources to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Atlanta:

• Adult Protective Services (APS): For abuse occurring in private residences, contact APS at 1-866-552-4464 (press “3”) or report online at aging.georgia.gov
• Georgia Department of Community Health – Healthcare Facility Regulation: For abuse in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities, call 1-800-878-6442 or file a complaint online at dch.georgia.gov
• Local Law Enforcement: If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Advocates for residents of long-term care facilities and can be reached at 1-866-552-4464 (press “5”) .

Taking swift action by reporting suspected abuse helps protect nursing home residents and holds responsible parties accountable.​

Gathering Evidence for a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

Building a strong nursing home abuse claim starts with gathering the right evidence.

Without documentation, it can be difficult to prove that abuse or neglect occurred, especially when staff members deny responsibility.

A nursing home abuse attorney can help collect, organize, and preserve evidence to support your case.

Evidence in a Nursing Home Abuse Claim may include:

• Photographs of injuries (e.g., bruises, bedsores, or restraint marks)
• Medical records documenting treatment or deterioration in health
• Testimony from medical professionals or independent experts
• Incident reports or internal facility complaints
• Witness statements from other residents, staff, or visitors
• Staffing records or schedules showing lack of care or supervision
• Surveillance footage from common areas of the facility
• Financial records in cases of suspected exploitation or theft

Damages in a Nursing Home Liability Claim

In a nursing home abuse lawsuit, damages refer to the compensation victims and their families may receive for the harm caused by abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.

These damages are meant to account for both the financial costs of the abuse and the physical and emotional suffering endured by the victim.

An experienced nursing home abuse attorney can calculate these damages and pursue a claim that reflects the full impact on the victim’s life and well-being.

Damages in a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit may include:

• Medical bills related to treatment for abuse or neglect
• Future medical care or long-term rehabilitation costs
• Pain and suffering caused by physical or emotional trauma
• Mental anguish and loss of dignity
• Relocation costs if the resident must be moved to a safer facility
• Wrongful death damages for families of deceased victims
• Punitive damages in cases of extreme or intentional misconduct

Assisted living facilities and nursing home facilities have a duty of care to protect residents from harm, yet abuse and neglect in these settings remain significant issues.

Studies show that up to 15.7% of residents in care facilities experience abuse each year, with emotional abuse, physical mistreatment, and neglect being common but often unreported.

Many facilities face challenges like understaffing, inadequate training, and lack of regulatory oversight, all of which contribute to these ongoing issues.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a significant percentage of nursing home complaints involve neglect, especially affecting those with cognitive or mobility limitations who are unable to advocate for themselves.

Research highlights that understaffed facilities often struggle to meet care standards, which has led to a rise in reported cases of harm, poor sanitary conditions, and serious health issues among residents.

With effective legal recourse, families can hold these facilities accountable for violating their duty of care and seek justice on behalf of their loved ones.

If your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home facility, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation.

Contact the experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys at TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a Nursing Home Lawsuit instantly.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse can take many forms, each with serious consequences for residents’ health, safety, and quality of life.

Residents often depend on their caregivers for essential daily needs, making them especially vulnerable to mistreatment.

Abuse in nursing homes frequently goes unreported due to residents’ physical or cognitive limitations and lack of access to family or advocates.

Understanding the various types of abuse helps families recognize warning signs and take action to protect their loved ones.

Types of nursing home abuse include:

• Physical Abuse: Any intentional act that causes physical harm, such as hitting, pushing, or inappropriate restraint, falls under physical abuse. This form of abuse can lead to visible injuries, including bruises, fractures, and even long-term health complications.
• Emotional and Mental Abuse: Emotional abuse involves using threats, insults, isolation, or intimidation to cause psychological distress. This type of abuse can lead to anxiety, depression, and a decline in cognitive function, affecting a resident’s overall well-being.
• Financial Abuse: Financial abuse occurs when a caregiver or facility staff exploits a resident’s financial resources. This includes unauthorized access to bank accounts, theft of personal property, or coercing residents into changing financial documents, often leaving them financially unstable.
• Sexual Abuse: Any form of non-consensual sexual contact, including unwanted touching or sexual assault, is considered sexual abuse. Vulnerable residents, especially those with cognitive impairments, are at a high risk, and the abuse often goes unreported due to residents’ inability to communicate.

Types of Nursing Home Neglect

Neglect in nursing homes can take several forms, each with serious consequences for residents who rely on caregivers to meet their daily needs.

When staff fail to provide essential care, residents may suffer from preventable health complications and diminished quality of life.

Elopement, or unsupervised wandering, is a particularly dangerous form of neglect that puts residents at high risk of injury.

Understanding these types of neglect helps families identify issues early and take action to protect their loved ones.

Types of nursing home neglect include:

• Neglect of Basic Needs: This occurs when staff fail to provide essential daily requirements such as food, water, and clean clothing. Residents facing basic needs neglect may experience dehydration, malnutrition, and hygiene-related health issues.
• Medical Neglect: Medical neglect involves failing to administer prescribed medications, monitor chronic conditions, or respond to medical emergencies. This type of neglect can worsen health conditions, lead to unnecessary pain, and even result in life-threatening situations.
• Neglect of Personal Hygiene: When caregivers neglect personal hygiene needs, such as bathing, dental care, or changing soiled clothing, residents are at risk of infections, skin conditions, and emotional distress due to feelings of uncleanliness and discomfort.
• Social or Emotional Neglect: Social and emotional neglect happens when staff isolate residents, ignore emotional needs, or fail to provide companionship and interaction. This form of neglect often leads to loneliness, depression, and a decline in mental well-being.
• Elopement and Wandering: Elopement, or when a resident wanders unsupervised outside of the facility, is a serious risk that can result in injuries or fatalities. Facilities are responsible for monitoring residents to prevent such incidents, especially for those with cognitive impairments like dementia.

Each type of neglect requires immediate attention and accountability to protect residents’ health and well-being.

How Common is Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse?

Nursing home abuse and neglect are unfortunately widespread and underreported issues, affecting hundreds of thousands of elderly residents each year.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) around 15.7% of individuals over 60 experience some form of abuse in community settings, and the numbers are thought to be even higher in institutional settings like nursing homes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that psychological abuse is the most common, affecting nearly 1 in 3 older people worldwide in institutional care.

Physical violence, financial exploitation, and neglect are also prevalent, with instances often underreported due to residents’ physical or cognitive limitations, or lack of oversight from family and authorities​.

The issue of underreporting is well-documented.

The WHO estimates that for every case of abuse reported, another 23 go unreported, suggesting that the actual prevalence of abuse and neglect may be much higher.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory oversight diminished as inspections and family visits were restricted, exposing residents to even greater risks without adequate accountability​.

As advocacy groups and agencies continue pushing for reforms, families and legal advocates play essential roles in holding facilities accountable and ensuring that the rights and safety of elderly residents are protected.

Elder abuse cases in Georgia follow the state’s personal injury claims process, guided by both federal protections and specific Georgia statutes that address the rights of nursing home residents.

Under the Nursing Home Reform Act (a federal law), residents in Georgia nursing homes have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

When nursing home abuse occurs, Georgia law allows victims or their families to file personal injury claims against responsible parties, including facilities and individual staff members.

The Georgia Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities further reinforces these protections, requiring facilities to provide appropriate medical treatment, nutrition, hygiene, and personal safety.

Victims or their families must typically prove that the facility breached a duty of care and that this breach led to harm—this often requires testimony from medical experts and thorough documentation.

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) also imposes a two-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims, starting from the date the abuse was discovered or should have been discovered.

In serious cases involving intentional harm, gross negligence, or wrongful death, plaintiffs may also pursue punitive damages.

Filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit can be a critical step in holding facilities accountable and protecting other residents from similar harm.

Steps in the Legal Process for a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Georgia:

1. Contact an Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer to evaluate your potential claim.
2. Gather medical records, witness statements, and facility reports related to the suspected abuse.
3. Consult with medical experts to determine the extent and cause of the injuries.
4. File a formal complaint or legal claim against the nursing home or responsible staff members.
5. Engage in the discovery process where both sides exchange evidence and conduct depositions.
6. Negotiate a settlement or, if necessary, proceed to trial.
7. Recover compensation if the court finds the nursing home liable for abuse or neglect.

Who Can File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, nursing home abuse claims can be filed by certain individuals who have legal standing to represent the interests of the abused or neglected resident.

Typically, this includes the resident themselves (if competent), a legally appointed guardian or conservator, or a personal representative of the resident’s estate in cases involving wrongful death.

Family members, such as spouses or adult children, may also bring a claim under specific circumstances, especially if they have legal authority or the resident is unable to do so.

Claims may address physical abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or medical negligence resulting in serious harm or death.

Georgia’s personal injury and elder abuse statutes, along with relevant provisions in the Georgia Nursing Home Bill of Rights and federal Nursing Home Reform Act, provide the legal framework for these claims.

Eligible parties to file a nursing home abuse claim in Georgia include:

• The nursing home resident (if they are mentally competent)
• A legal guardian or conservator appointed to act on the resident’s behalf
• A power of attorney holder with the appropriate authority
• A spouse or adult child, if authorized or if the resident is incapacitated
• The executor or administrator of the estate, in cases of wrongful death or posthumous claims

If you suspect abuse or neglect in a Georgia nursing home, consulting with an experienced Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer from TorHoerman Law can help determine your legal standing and next steps.

Who Can Be Sued in a Nursing Home Abuse Case?

In a Georgia nursing home abuse case, several parties may be held legally accountable depending on the circumstances of the abuse or neglect.

Liability is not limited to a single individual—multiple entities within or associated with the care facility can share responsibility for the harm caused.

This includes direct caregivers such as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), as well as supervisors, administrators, and even the ownership of the facility itself.

When staff members act negligently or abusively, or when a nursing home fails to properly vet, train, or supervise those staff, they may all be subject to legal action.

Assisted living facilities and nursing home facilities have a legal duty to provide safe and adequate care to their residents.

When that duty is breached and results in serious injuries, emotional trauma, or severe health issues, victims and their families may be entitled to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

Parties that may be sued in a nursing home abuse case include:

• Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Caregivers: For direct acts of abuse, neglect, or failure to provide care.
• Other staff members: Including nurses, aides, or attendants who were negligent in their duties.
• Facility management and administrators: For failing to implement policies that prevent abuse or neglect.
• The nursing home or assisted living facility itself: For broader institutional failures, understaffing, or unsafe conditions.
• Third-party contractors or service providers: If they contributed to the harm, such as through medical malpractice or unsafe equipment.

Identifying every liable party is essential for building a strong case and securing full compensation.

TorHoerman Law’s Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers investigate these cases thoroughly to hold every responsible party accountable.

If you or a loved one has experienced mistreatment, neglect, or harm in a Georgia nursing home, you may qualify to file a nursing home abuse case.

Signs of nursing home negligence can include unexplained injuries, untreated medical conditions, emotional withdrawal, or sudden changes in financial status.

A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer can review the facts of your situation, assess the harm suffered, and determine whether you have grounds for legal action.

Elder abuse cases often involve proving that the nursing home or its staff members failed to meet the basic standard of care expected under Georgia law.

Nursing home negligence can cause serious physical, emotional, and financial harm to vulnerable residents.

Families of abused residents may also have the right to seek compensation on behalf of their loved one.

Consulting an experienced attorney is the best way to protect your loved one’s rights and pursue justice against negligent Georgia nursing homes.

Our Atlanta Nursing Home Lawyers have decades of experience representing victims of nursing home abuse and holding negligent facilities accountable.

We are more than just general personal injury attorneys — our team is deeply committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable nursing home residents and seeking justice for victims of elder abuse.

We understand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences that abuse and neglect can cause.

Our lawyers work closely with families to investigate claims, gather evidence, and pursue the full compensation victims deserve.

When you work with TorHoerman Law, you are putting your trust in a team that is prepared to fight tirelessly on your behalf.

Contact TorHoerman Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

You can also use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a nursing home abuse lawsuit instantly.

Let us help you hold negligent nursing homes accountable and secure justice for your loved one.