Individuals who reside in assisted living facilities and nursing home environments often do so because they are incapable of caring for themselves. When their trusted healthcare providers subject them to abuse, it may be up to the resident’s family members to step in and take action to protect them. If you believe a family member residing in a nursing home may be the victim of abuse, it may be best to partner with a Beaufort personal injury lawyer to evaluate your legal options.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm does not tolerate abuse in any form. Our Beaufort nursing home abuse lawyer is available to review your case and help you determine what to do next. To get started, contact us today.
Nursing Home Abuse Definition
In a nursing home, a resident may be subject to abuse and neglect. Abuse happens when one person intentionally harms another. Neglect occurs when an individual chooses to care for another in a manner that would be considered harmful.
It may be difficult to tell if a family member residing in an assisted living facility is the victim of abuse or neglect. This individual may have fears about speaking up to discuss how they are being treated at the facility. They may also be dealing with physical or emotional trauma that impacts their cognitive and mental abilities.
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we are here to help anyone who believes their family member may be the victim of assisted living facility neglect or abuse. Our Beaufort nursing home abuse attorney may be able to help you put an end to this problem that affects your loved one. To learn more, reach out to us.
Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes
A nursing home abuse lawyer in Beaufort understands the challenges that come with identifying malicious acts against a family member residing in an assisted care facility. They can provide you with resources relating to abuse. Also, they can discuss the following types of abuse reported in assisted living facilities with you:
Financial
Financial abuse is one of the most prevalent ways the elderly are taken advantage of by their healthcare providers and nursing staff. It occurs when an abuser steals money, makes changes to important financial documents, convinces a resident to write checks for them, gives them access to credit cards or money, or changes this individual’s financial power of attorney. To prove someone is financially abusing a family member in an assisted living facility, you may need to pull your loved one’s financial records, obtain documents relating to their care and support, and work with a nursing home abuse attorney in Beaufort to gather additional evidence.
Physical
You may notice a family member living in an assisted living facility has bruises or other injuries and cannot explain how they happened. Your loved one may also be dealing with depression and other mental health issues. At this point, this individual may be the victim of physical abuse, and you may want to share your concerns with the police immediately.
Emotional or Psychological
If you notice a family member at an assisted living facility is withdrawing socially, appears increasingly nervous, or displays sudden personality changes, they may be coping with emotional or psychological abuse. It may be tough to identify this type of abuse. Regardless, it may be beneficial to seek legal help if you see any signs indicating someone may be emotionally or psychologically abusing your loved one.
A Beaufort nursing home abuse attorney who specializes in nursing home neglect and abuse can answer frequently asked questions and many others about these topics. They can help you take appropriate steps to protect a family member against neglect and abuse in a nursing home. In addition, they may be able to work with you to safeguard your loved one against these issues moving forward.
How to Respond to Assisted Living Facility Abuse
Abuse in an assisted living facility may be unlikely to stop on its own. Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect a family member and other facility residents against it. These include filing a complaint with any of the following state agencies, departments, or offices:
- Department of Social Services Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Adult Protective Services
- Office of the Attorney General
- Department of Health and Environmental Control
You may also file a report with the Beaufort Police Department, submit a claim with the nursing home’s medical malpractice insurance provider, and pursue a civil lawsuit against the facility. Doing these things may help you hold any at-fault parties responsible. It may allow you to request damages relating to the abuse a family member has suffered while they were in the care of nursing home staff.
Neglect and Abuse Claim Damages
When you hire an attorney, they can explain how a personal injury settlement is determined. With a claim of neglect and abuse at an assisted living facility, a judge or jury may award economic and non-economic damages. Economic compensation may be provided for medical bills and other losses that are quantifiable, while non-economic damages may be offered for pain, suffering, and other subjective harm.
How much a neglect and abuse claim is worth depends on the facts surrounding a case. A Beaufort nursing home abuse lawyer may encourage you to pursue the maximum amount of economic and non-economic damages. They may work with you to collect an abundance of evidence to show an at-fault party was negligent, and as such, 100% of the damages you are requesting should be awarded.
You are responsible for the burden of proof in your assisted living facility neglect and abuse case. With help from your attorney, you may be able to prepare a compelling argument. If your case goes to trial, your lawyer can present your argument and help you explain to a judge or jury why you deserve to be awarded compensation.
Partner with a Beaufort Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm can connect you with a Beaufort nursing home abuse and neglect attorney. We can take a look at your case and help you determine if now is the right time to seek damages from an at-fault party. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
