T. Madden & Associates, P.C. Marks Residents' Rights Month by Empowering Local Families to Fight Nursing Home Neglect
Residents' Rights Month, observed each October, is a reminder that people do not give up their rights when they move into a nursing home. T. Madden & Associates, P.C., a Jonesboro nursing home neglect attorney and catastrophic injury law firm, is marking the month by helping Clayton County and Georgia families understand those rights and recognize the signs when a loved one's care falls short.
Why Does Residents' Rights Month Matter Now?
Consumer Voice, the national nonprofit that leads Residents' Rights Month, has chosen “Join Us at the Table” as the 2026 theme. It centers on food, mealtimes, and community as central parts of residents' dignity and quality of life, and it calls on residents, staff, families, and ombudsman representatives to listen to residents' experiences together.
For families, mealtimes can also reveal how a facility is caring for a loved one. Whether a resident receives help eating, has access to fluids, and keeps a steady weight are all signs of the care being provided.
What Rights Do Georgia Nursing Home Residents Have?
Georgia's Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-term Care Facilities, found at O.C.G.A. § 31-8-100 and following sections, sets standards for how facilities must treat the people in their care. Those protections include being treated with dignity and privacy, the right to refuse medical treatment and medications, and access to information in a resident's own medical records.
Families who believe those rights are being ignored can contact the Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at (866) 552-4464, which investigates and works to resolve complaints for residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. When problems continue or a resident has been harmed, a nursing home abuse lawyer can review what happened and the options for holding a facility accountable.
What Warning Signs Should Families Watch For?
Common warning signs of neglect include unexplained weight loss, dehydration, bedsores, poor hygiene, unexplained injuries or falls, and sudden changes in mood or behavior. A resident who is withdrawn, afraid of staff, or no longer interested in meals may also be telling a family something is wrong. An elder abuse attorney can help families understand which concerns may point to neglect and what evidence matters.
“Residents' Rights Month is a good time for families to ask hard questions,” said Terance Madden, founder of T. Madden & Associates, P.C. “When someone notices weight loss, bedsores, or a loved one who has stopped being themselves, it is worth asking questions right away. A personal injury attorney can help a family get answers and hold a facility responsible when neglect causes harm.”
What Should Families Do If Neglect Is Suspected?
Families should write down what they see, including dates, names, and photographs of visible injuries, and ask the facility for the resident's care plan and medical records. They can report concerns to the facility administrator and to the ombudsman. Deadlines matter as well. Georgia law generally gives families two years from the date of an injury to bring a professional negligence claim, and many claims must be filed with an expert's affidavit, so waiting can put a case at risk.
Families anywhere in Georgia searching for a nursing home neglect lawyer can contact T. Madden & Associates, P.C. for a free consultation.
About T. Madden & Associates, P.C.
Established nearly 25 years ago by Georgia personal injury lawyer Terance Madden, T. Madden & Associates, P.C. is a boutique catastrophic injury law firm providing experienced legal representation statewide from its offices in Atlanta, Decatur, Jonesboro, Macon, and Augusta. Led by an executive partnership of veteran attorneys, the firm specializes in severe automobile and trucking collisions, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death. The firm operates on a no-fees-unless-we-win basis to keep legal help accessible to all, coupling high-powered trial advocacy with dedicated client care. The firm also gives back through The Terance Madden Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that has awarded college scholarships to more than 250 Atlanta-area students over the past decade. Learn more at https://www.tmaddenlaw.com/. Contact T. Madden & Associates, P.C. for a free consultation.