Compassionate Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse Attorneys in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are 15,600 nursing homes with 1.7 million licensed beds throughout the United States, and just over 15,500 South Carolina residents call these facilities home.
At the David W. Martin Law Group, our nursing home negligence and abuse attorneys in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC understand that making the difficult decision to place your loved one’s care in the hands of a facility is one of the hardest things families must do each day in York County.
When something terrible happens during their stay, or while they are a resident at the facility, the grief, anger, and guilt can be too much to overcome, even as you work quickly to create a safe haven for your injured elder.
Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse are rampant in our state and throughout the country, and our personal injury attorneys in Fort Mill, SC are making it our mission to stop these dreadful circumstances from continuing by holding the negligent person or party responsible.
What Are the Most Common Types of Nursing Home Negligence & Abuse in South Carolina?
One in ten adults over the age of 60 is abused, neglected, or financially exploited, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the National Institute on Aging.
According to these reports, there are several types of nursing home negligence and abuse in South Carolina:
- Abandonment
- Emotional or psychological abuse, including threats, yelling, humiliation, and isolation
- Financial abuse, including unauthorized use of patient funds
- Neglect
- Physical abuse, including hitting, slapping, kicking, or injurious behavior
- Sexual abuse, including any contact with an elder without their consent
Combatting nursing home negligence and abuse in South Carolina begins with understanding and identifying the signs associated with these conditions, so you can keep a sharp eye on your loved one and the facility that is charged with providing their care.
What Are the Most Common Signs of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC?
At the David W. Martin Law Group, our personal injury attorneys in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC focus on providing legal solutions for our clients. To do so, we must be able to pursue their claim with conviction.
First, that requires identifying the signs of elder neglect and abuse, so we can hold the liable party accountable for the injuries you or your loved one suffered while in their care.
Examples can include:
- Not responding to patient requests and needs
- Overmedicating a patient to get him or her to keep quiet
- Failing to give a patient the right amount of medication at the right time
- Leaving a patient in soiled clothes and sheets for long periods
- Failing to treat bedsores
- Failing to clean the patient’s room and bathroom
- Failing to feed the patient proper meals
Common signs of nursing home negligence and abuse in South Carolina may include, but are not limited to:
- Acting scared or frightened when certain staff members are around, or not wanting to be left alone with the staff
- Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations
- Unkempt appearance, including dirty clothes or unwashed hair
- Soiled bedding and clothes
- Unexplained bruises, burns, or scars
- Unexplained weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration
- Broken personal property, including glasses or other everyday articles
- Trouble sleeping
- Depression or confusion
- Traumatized or withdrawn behavior, and a refusal to see visitors
- Irritation or acts of violence
- Restraint marks
- Bedsores
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
- Inconsistencies in prescriptions, including signs of over-or underuse
- No longer participates in activities that were once enjoyable
Nursing home negligence and abuse are easily confused with elderly behavior, including confusion or memory problems.
However, it is important that friends and family members of nursing home occupants — whether they are short or long-term residents — to ask questions of their loved ones and the staff at the facility to ensure their quality of care and life is not in danger.
Elderly adults who suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other disabilities are often targets for nursing home neglect and abuse. If your loved one falls into a vulnerable group of nursing home residents, it is important to pay special attention to their care.
Fort Mill & Greenville, SC Nursing Home, and Medical Facility Acquired Infections Can Develop from Lack of Care
When poor hygiene is a factor in nursing homes, hospitals, or other facilities where our seniors live or are receiving care, elderly residents can fall gravely ill or even succumb to their illnesses without notice from facility-acquired infections called nosocomial.
These deadly diseases can be avoided with proper cleaning procedures in place, including in the facility, during the use of medical devices, and while administering care.
If your loved one has fallen ill to an infection that originated in a healthcare facility, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the home that negligently administered care to your loved one.
Our Fort Mill & Greenville, SC Personal Injury Law Firm at the David W. Martin Law Group Provide the Following Practice Area:
- Auto Accident
- Bicycle Accident
- Boat Accident
- Dog Bite
- Motorcycle Accident
- Pedestrian Accident
- Truck Accident
- Wrongful Death
- Slip & Fall
- Workers’ Compensation
- Medical Malpractice
- Sexual Abuse
- Amazon/Deliver Driver
- Rideshare Physical and Sexual Assault
- Firefighting Foam Attorneys
How Does Nursing Home and Abuse Continue to Occur in Fort Mill & Greenville?
Unfortunately, there are several reasons nursing home abuse and neglect continue to occur, including understaffing issues, facilities that hire under-qualified staff members and failing to conduct proper background checks on their employees.
Unfortunately, most facilities will not disclose these shortcomings without the legal discovery necessary to uncover their negligence. That is where the David W. Martin Law Group can help.
What if I Have Lost a Loved One to Nursing Home Abuse or Negligence in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC?
At the David W. Martin Law Group, our personal injury attorneys in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC understand that the emotions and confusion of losing a loved one to nursing home abuse or negligence are devastating.
When you believe your loved one’s loss was preventable and was caused by the negligence of the facility in which he or she was receiving care, the burden of proof required to file a wrongful death claim in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC, and throughout South Carolina can be equally overwhelming.
We can help, starting with a consultation with our experienced wrongful death lawyers in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC today. We will explain the legal process and requirements necessary to hold the liable facility accountable for your loved one’s loss.
Contact Our Experienced Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Attorneys in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC
All nursing home negligence and abuse cases are unique and require an experienced personal injury lawyer in Fort Mill & Greenville, SC to research the details with the assistance of medical and facility experts who can help build our case.
Each of our client relationships begins with a free and confidential legal consultation by calling (803) 548-2468 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our Greenville personal injury lawyers to discuss your unique legal needs today.
