You or a family member can suffer nursing home abuse in Cayce, South Carolina. The abuse can continue for a long time and cause injuries. In addition to seeking criminal charges against anyone responsible for the abuse, you can hire a personal injury lawyer to help you get compensation from any at-fault parties.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm has plenty of experience with personal injury cases. If you want to hire a Cayce nursing home abuse lawyer, please reach out to us. Our South Carolina personal injury attorney can review your case and help you determine if now is the right time to file a personal injury lawsuit.
How to Respond to Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is a form of elder abuse. It comes in many forms, including:
- Physical abuse such as slapping, pushing, or hitting
- Emotional abuse, which can involve saying hurtful words or yelling
- Neglect in which a caregiver does not respond to an older adult’s needs
- Abandonment in which a caregiver leaves an older adult alone without any plans for their care
- Sexual abuse in which an older adult is forced to be a part of or involved with sexual acts
- Financial abuse in which an older adult’s money or items are misused or stolen
It can be difficult for the victim of nursing home abuse to report the issue. If you or someone you know may be the victim of abuse in a nursing home, report the abuse through Adult Protective Services (APS) of South Carolina. In a life-threatening situation, call 911.
Reporting nursing home abuse is a great first step to put an end to this issue. However, the abuse can cause physical and emotional problems that linger long into the future. For those coping with such issues, you can seek damages against anyone responsible for the abuse.
How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit Works
The injuries that can occur due to nursing home abuse vary in terms of severity. If a person is dealing with a catastrophic injury or any other caused by someone else in a nursing home, this individual can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. South Carolina law states there is a three-year window to file this type of lawsuit.
After you report nursing home abuse, you should get treatment for any injuries you suffered. Also, you can get help from a personal injury lawyer. At this point, you can discuss your case with the attorney, and they can help you seek compensation as part of a lawsuit.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm can connect you with an experienced team of personal injury lawyers. For more information, please get in touch with us. Our Cayce nursing home abuse attorney can help you submit your request for compensation against any negligent parties.
When to Expect Compensation in a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit
A nursing home abuse lawyer in Cayce can file your claim in accordance with South Carolina’s statute of limitations. Regardless, you may need months or years to settle your case. Before your lawsuit goes in front of a judge or jury, you may negotiate a settlement.
Settlement negotiations are common in personal injury cases. They may allow you to receive compensation in less time than what is required if you go to trial. Of course, you should not accept a settlement unless it meets your expectations.
Your nursing home abuse attorney in Cayce will keep you up to date on any settlement offers from the defendant in your case. If you get a settlement proposal, it is in your best interests to go over it with your lawyer. Then, you can decide if a settlement gives you adequate compensation.
How to Evaluate a Nursing Home Abuse Case Settlement
In a nursing home abuse lawsuit, your lawyer will help you request a fair amount of damages based on your medical bills, pain, suffering, and other losses. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or any other injuries that will affect you for years to come, your attorney will account for them when you file your lawsuit. They will also commit time, energy, and resources to build a case that compels a judge or jury to award you the full damages you request.
When you get a nursing home abuse case settlement, it may be significantly lower than what you originally wanted. If you feel this way, it can still be beneficial to read through the settlement proposal with your attorney and get their insights into it. Your lawyer will not decide on a settlement offer for you, but they can help you evaluate it from all angles.
If you find that a settlement offer is well short of what you want, you can reject it without penalty. Your lawyer will notify the defendant about your decision. They will then keep working with you to strengthen your case.
How a Nursing Home Abuse Case Gets Settled During a Trial
Prior to your trial, your lawyer will help you prepare. Your attorney can answer common questions from injury victims. They will make sure that you know what will happen as soon as you enter the courtroom, too.
When your trial gets underway, you and the defendant receive the opportunity to share your side of the story. Your attorney presents evidence and testimony designed to show a judge or jury why you should be awarded compensation. Comparatively, the defendant’s attorney contests any claims made against their client and tries to get a judge or jury to rule in their client’s favor.
After a judge or jury reviews your case, they will make a decision on it. If your attorney does a good job of showing that you are the victim of nursing home abuse, a judge or jury may be inclined to rule in your favor. Once a judge or jury awards you damages, the defendant is required to pay them, and your case is closed.
Partner with a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney from the Shelly Leeke Law Firm
We can help you pursue compensation from anyone that caused your nursing home abuse to happen. Please contact us today, and we can put you in contact with a Cayce nursing home abuse lawyer.