Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Summerville

When you find out that your family member has suffered abuse in a nursing home, it can leave you feeling helpless and betrayed. The place you trusted to care for your loved one has instead caused them immense harm. However, your loved one has rights, and you don’t have to handle this tragic situation alone.

At Murphy Crantford Meehan, we know how crucial it is to act swiftly and decisively when nursing home abuse occurs. Our Summerville nursing home abuse lawyers can help you fight for justice on your family member’s behalf. We can investigate the abuse, gather evidence, and build a strong case to hold the responsible parties accountable. Meanwhile, let us stand by your side, providing the legal support and guidance you need to protect your family member’s rights and well-being. Call our Summerville personal injury lawyers today or complete our contact page for a free consultation.

Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Knowing some common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can help you recognize what’s happening more quickly and take swift action to protect your family member. Here are some things to watch out for:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
• Sudden weight loss or dehydration
• Poor personal hygiene
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers
• Frequent infections
• Unusual changes in behavior or mood
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Missing personal belongings
• Unexplained financial transactions
• Staff refusing or delaying visits
• Signs of restraint marks

If you notice any of these signs or other possible indications of abuse or neglect, contact an attorney right away. They can help you take action to address the mistreatment and assist you in seeking fair compensation for the harm your family member has suffered.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse and neglect can take many forms, and it’s vital to understand the different categories so you can recognize when someone in your family may be a victim.

• Physical Abuse: This involves causing physical harm to a resident through actions like hitting, pushing, or improper use of restraints.
• Verbal Abuse: This includes yelling, insulting, or threatening a resident, which can cause emotional distress and fear.
• Psychological Abuse: This type of abuse includes isolating residents, belittling them, or causing them mental anguish through manipulation or intimidation.
• Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident falls into this category and is a severe violation of their rights and safety.
• Financial Abuse: This involves stealing a resident’s money, manipulating them into changing their will, or making unauthorized use of their finances.
• Neglect: Failing to provide necessary care, such as food, water, medication, or assistance with personal hygiene, constitutes neglect.

Common Examples of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Some specific examples of actions or behavior that qualify as nursing home abuse or neglect include:

• Hitting or slapping residents
• Shouting at residents and insulting them
• Isolating residents in their rooms, which can lead to loneliness and depression
• Unwanted sexual contact
• Theft of residents’ personal items
• Improper use of restraints (physical or chemical)
• Failure to provide residents with necessary medication
• Not taking care of residents’ hygiene, such as leaving them in soiled clothes or beds
• Leaving residents in the same position for too long, which can lead to bedsores
• Not giving residents enough water or food, leading to dehydration or malnutrition
• Making unauthorized withdrawals from residents’ accounts or changes to their financial documents.
• Intimidation or threats against residents to keep them from speaking about their mistreatment

Who’s Liable for Nursing Home Abuse?

When a family member suffers abuse in a nursing home, it’s essential to identify who is responsible to hold them accountable. Depending on the circumstances of the abuse, several parties can be liable in these cases, including:

• Nursing Home Staff: Individual caregivers, nurses, or aides who engage in abusive behavior are responsible for their actions.
• Nursing Home Administration: The facility’s management may be liable if they fail to properly train, supervise, or conduct background checks on their staff.
• Nursing Home Owners: A nursing facility’s owners may be liable for systemic issues in the facility that often lead to abuse or neglect, such as understaffing, lack of proper policies, or failure to maintain a safe environment.
• Medical Professionals: Doctors, nurses, or therapists working in the nursing home may be liable if they neglect their duties, provide substandard care, or fail to report signs of abuse.
• Third-Party Contractors: If the nursing home outsources certain services, such as cleaning or food service, these contractors may be liable if their employees engage in abusive behavior.
• Other Residents: In some cases, other residents might be responsible for the abuse. The nursing home may also be liable in these circumstances if they failed to address known risks or protect vulnerable residents.

How To Report Nursing Home Abuse in Summerville

Nursing home residents who experience abuse or neglect can either contact the state’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program or have a family member do so on their behalf. Residents or their families can call 1-800-868-9095 to report suspected abuse or make a report online. Additionally, residents who suspect they are in immediate danger or their families can also contact local law enforcement to report abuse or neglect.

After notifying the authorities about suspected abuse or neglect at a nursing home, the next step is to contact a nursing home abuse attorney immediately. They can help victims of abuse or neglect take legal action to protect their rights and hold the facility accountable.

Nursing Home Abuse Statistics

Nursing home abuse and neglect are shockingly common in the United States, and South Carolina is no exception. One report found that regulators issued 7,600 citations to nursing facilities nationwide in one recent year for instances of suspected abuse and neglect. Here are a few more key figures to know:

• In one recent year, U.S. nursing homes received 94,499 health citations, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Of these citations, 8.1 percent (7,654 citations) were related to the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of nursing home residents.
• During the same year, regulators issued U.S. nursing homes $153 million in fines for health violations of all kinds, averaging about $10,000 per facility.
• Nearly 16 percent of residents in nursing homes or other care communities report being abused. For comparison, around 10 percent of Americans aged 60 and older living at home experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• In care facilities like nursing homes, physical abuse is the most common form of abuse, followed by neglect and psychological abuse.
• Older people with dementia are especially vulnerable, as up to about 50 percent of people with dementia experience abuse.

Compensation Available for Nursing Home Abuse Victims

While a civil claim does not allow you to send the perpetrators of nursing home abuse and neglect to prison, it can help you recover the resources you need to give your family member the caring support they need and penalize wrongdoers. Depending on the case, the compensation in a nursing home abuse claim can include money for:

• The abused resident’s medical expenses
• The abused resident’s pain and suffering
• The abused resident’s emotional distress
• The abused resident’s loss of enjoyment of life
• Relocation costs
• Rehabilitation costs

Statute of Limitations for South Carolina Nursing Home Abuse Claims

In South Carolina, the statute of limitations allows an injured person three years from the date they sustain an injury to file a lawsuit against the person or facility that harmed them. In cases involving wrongful death, the three-year countdown starts on the date someone dies. However, injuries from nursing home abuse or neglect are not always immediately apparent. In these cases, the Discovery Rule may apply. This rule says that the deadline to file a lawsuit is three years from when you discover or reasonably should have discovered injuries. The Discovery Rule can give you more time to file a lawsuit, but it’s still essential to contact an attorney immediately to avoid potential deadline issues that could derail your case.

How Our Summerville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Can Help

Nursing home abuse cases are complex and challenging, requiring the experience and dedication of a knowledgeable legal team. At Murphy Crantford Meehan, our Summerville nursing home abuse lawyers are committed to fighting for justice for your family member. We can handle all the intricate legal aspects of your case, from gathering evidence and building a strong claim to negotiating with insurance companies and representing you in court. By partnering with us, you can focus on supporting your family and ensuring your loved one’s well-being while we work tirelessly to secure the compensation and justice you deserve. Let our skilled team guide you through this difficult time and help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Contact Our Summerville Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Today

It’s critical to hold nursing homes accountable in cases of abuse or neglect. The team at Murphy Crantford Meehan has the drive, legal knowledge, and resources to help you in this dark hour and find justice for your abused family member. Call our Summerville nursing home abuse lawyers today or reach out online for a free consultation.