Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Lexington, SC

Ready to Protect Your Loved One’s Rights & Best Interests

When families are unable to regularly care for their elderly or disabled loved ones on their own, nursing homes can provide high-quality care around the clock. Many families do their research to determine the facility that would offer their family member the best care. Unfortunately, nursing homes and assisted living facilities may place your loved one in danger of abuse and neglect.

If you suspect that your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse in South Carolina, look no further than our Lexington nursing home abuse lawyers at The Rick Hall Firm, LLC to help you and your family member obtain the financial compensation and justice you all deserve. With more than 40 years of experience, we have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients.

Do not hesitate to call (803) 590-9900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation and let our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys in Lexington, SC thoroughly review your case!

What is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse occurs when staff members cause intentional and unintentional harm to residents at their facilities. Residents can also abuse one another. Nursing home abuse can lead to trauma, injury, medical emergencies, and even death.

The following are some of the common forms of nursing home abuse:

• Physical abuse – A nursing home staff member inflicts physical harm, such as hitting, kicking, or pushing. Injuries from physical abuse include cuts, bruises, and broken bones.
• Emotional abuse – Harming a resident’s well-being by yelling, taunting, insulting, or even isolation from family and friends.
• Neglect – Whether it is intentional or unintentional, neglect involves leaving a resident unattended for extended periods of time. Nursing home neglect can result in bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, infections, and other issues.
• Sexual abuse – Nursing home staff and other residents may inflict sexual battery. Common signs of sexual abuse include physical injuries (especially in the genital area), bloody undergarments, walking issues, anxiety and depression, fear of certain employees, and even sexually transmitted infections.
• Financial abuse – Nursing home staff members can also financially exploit vulnerable residents by stealing money from their bank accounts or having checks written out to them by the residents.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse to Look Out For

Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. It is important for family members to be aware of the signs of abuse so that they can take action to protect their loved ones. Here are some common signs of nursing home abuse:

• Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones
• Changes in behavior or mood, such as becoming withdrawn or fearful
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Unexplained financial transactions or missing personal items
• Staff members who refuse to allow visitors to see their loved ones

It is imperative to know which type(s) of nursing home abuse your loved one is suffering from and report it in order to protect your family member from further abuse, as well as prevent other residents from enduring such harm. Learn more about identifying the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect.

If you suspect that your loved one is being abused in a nursing home, it is important to take action right away. Contact our Lexington nursing home abuse attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

If you believe that your loved one is being abused, do not hesitate to reach out to our Lexington nursing home abuse attorneys at (803) 590-9900.

How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in South Carolina

If you have perceived elderly abuse, there are several things that you can do:

• If the elderly person is in immediate danger, call 911 or the police.
• Contact the nursing home administration.
• Contact the South Carolina Department on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) by calling (800) 868-9095. They can help resolve complaints.
• Contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) -- they investigate reports that may be a violation of licensing standards in the state
• Reach out to an experienced South Carolina nursing home abuse attorney near you

Can I File a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit?

Your elderly or disabled loved one deserves to live in a safe and nurturing environment. If a nursing home or assisted-living facility was negligent or failed to protect your loved one from abuse, you may be entitled to compensation.

Our nursing home abuse lawyers in Lexington take a will look at the following factors of your case:

• What type of abuse or neglect occurred;
• Did the nursing home staff/management know about the abuse/neglect?
• Were the facilities safely maintained?
• Did the nursing home hire staff with insufficient training?
• Was the nursing home understaffed?

If the nursing home facility was negligent in its duty to care for your loved one, you have the right to file a lawsuit for damages. Families may recover monetary damages for medical expenses, lost savings, and other out-of-pocket expenses through a nursing home abuse lawsuit.