Elder abuse occurs quite often in nursing homes throughout the State of South Carolina. Many patients are often left unattended in their beds, and they develop bed sores and other medical problems. Also, many nursing home residents may not receive the correct dosage of their medication, and this can cause serious bodily injury or death.
If you or a loved one suffered abuse while residing in a nursing home, then contact a Denny Terrace personal injury lawyer today. You can learn more about how you can seek financial compensation for your injuries. Do not accept nursing home abuse under any circumstances. Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for safe care for the ones you love.
Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse in South Carolina
Nursing home abuse can take many different forms. The residents of a nursing home are often vulnerable, and it is typically staff members who take advantage of residents. The following are common types of nursing home abuse in South Carolina:
- Neglect
- Financial abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
If you or a loved one suffered any type of nursing home abuse, then you should seek out a Denny Terrace nursing home abuse lawyer. Retaining legal counsel will permit you to understand your legal rights and how you can seek financial compensation for your injuries. You do not have to take on a nursing home abuse lawsuit by yourself.
Frequently Observed Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse victims often exhibit the same signs of physical and psychological abuse. However, many nursing home residents find it difficult to report abuse, and oftentimes, they feel shame and humiliation when they consider their own mistreatment. The following are common signs of nursing home abuse:
- Bad lighting, wet floors, and faulty medical equipment
- Deteriorating personal hygiene
- Behaving in a withdrawn manner
- Dehydration
- Fractured bones
- Bedsores
- Rapid weight loss
- Malnutrition
No two cases of nursing home abuse are exactly identical, but typically, a Denny Terrace nursing home abuse attorney will conduct an investigation of the nursing home for other instances of abuse. Unfortunately, some nursing homes exhibit patterns of abuse, and this can be relevant to your civil lawsuit. It is, therefore, imperative that you and your loved ones provide detailed information about the abuse they suffered.
How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Nursing home abuse lawyers bring years of experience to bear on cases involving elder abuse. A skilled litigator can prepare your case for trial. The following are some of the actions a nursing home abuse attorney in Denny Terrace can take to improve your case:
- Provide you with support, care, and guidance during this painful time in your life
- Help victims and family members understand the Bill of Rights for South Carolina Nursing Home Residents
- Help family members understand legal proceedings
- Take your nursing home abuse case to trial
- Participate in settlement negotiations with the insurance company
- Retain expert witnesses who will testify during the trial
- Investigate the nursing home to determine the prevalence of abuse
- Review the facts of your case and gather all relevant evidence
Having a Denny Terrace nursing home abuse lawyer on your side will help you feel less stressed during this difficult time in your life. Dealing with abuse can cause some victims to feel enraged and humiliated. A skilled attorney can help you focus on healing and moving on with your life.
The Causes of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse arises under many different circumstances. Typically, a nursing home staff member abuses a resident by using the trust established between the two individuals. Some nursing home employees continue to engage in a pattern of abuse even after they lose multiple jobs.
Nursing home administrators can also contribute to an abusive environment. Mismanagement, inadequate funding, dangerous premises, and poor staff training can make nursing home abuse more likely to occur. Sadly, these conditions are common because many administrators choose profitability over human safety.
Reporting Abuse that Occurred In a Nursing Home
If you suspect that you are suffering abuse, or if you witness the abuse of others, then you should call 911 immediately to request help from paramedics and local law enforcement agencies. Also, it is important to inform the nursing home about the abuse. You can inform managers and administrators about specific instances of abuse.
It may also be necessary to call local abuse hotlines and resource centers to report the abusive situation in the nursing home. If you want to submit an online report, you can do so through the Adult Protective Services website. The more you acknowledge the abuse and express what happened, the more likely it is that you will begin to heal from this traumatic experience with the help of your family members and friends.
The Types of Damages Nursing Home Abuse Victims May Claim
Nursing home abuse victims may claim economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages in their nursing home abuse cases. Economic damages are more quantifiable than non-economic damages and include things such as medical bills and property loss. Non-economic damages are more unique to the victim and include loss of enjoyment of life and emotional distress.
Punitive damages are awarded if the defendant committed conduct that was wanton, willful, or malicious. Essentially, punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant and to prevent the defendant from engaging in the same conduct in the future. A knowledgeable attorney can help you determine if punitive damages may be applicable to your nursing home abuse case.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm Helps Nursing Home Abuse Victims
It is utterly devastating to suffer abuse in a nursing home. It is also disheartening to learn that our loved ones have been abused, harmed, and frightened by those who are supposed to care for them. If you are seeking a nursing home abuse lawyer in Denny Terrace, then contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Our attorneys can help you with every phase of a nursing home abuse case. You do not have to give up on seeking financial compensation for your injuries. We are here to help you stand up for yourself and enforce your legal rights.
