Rock Hill Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Rock Hill is the largest city in the Charlotte, SC metropolitan area. It is home to thousands of senior citizens who require ongoing care and assistance as they reach their golden years.

Studies show that many people in the area reside in nursing homes, including the elderly, infirm, disabled, and those rehabilitating after surgery or an accident. The staff at these nursing homes is responsible for the residents' psychological and physical well-being.

However, abuse is common in many nursing homes, especially the ones that are understaffed or unsupervised. Harm can also come from other residents or visitors without the staff even knowing.

Was your loved one mistreated or abused in any way at a Rock Hill, South Carolina, long-term care facility? Contact the affiliate South Carolina personal injury attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center, LLC, for immediate legal advocacy as per the state law.

Call our Rock Hill nursing home abuse lawyers at (800) 926-7565 (toll-free phone call) to schedule a free consultation at our practice with our attorneys.

South Carolina nursing home patients can be subjected to various forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a growing problem in the United States.

Older patients are susceptible to abuse in nursing homes for many reasons. The patient may be unable to communicate what is happening to them due to dementia or other cognitive impairments.

Likewise, patients may be physically frail and unable to defend themselves. Or, they may also be dependent on the nursing home staff members for their basic needs and fear retaliation if they report the abuse.

Many cases of abuse or neglect in South Carolina nursing homes go unreported due to the victims' reluctance or fear. Families of residents should watch for signs of abuse and hold the nursing homes accountable.

Nursing home abuse can take many different forms, but some of the most common types of abuse include:

Physical Abuse

This type of abuse includes any physical force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. Many nursing home injury cases result from physical assault.

Physical abuse can include the following:

• Slapping
• Pushing
• Choking
• Burning
• Biting
• Deliberately dropping
• Punching
• Pinching

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is any abuse that causes psychological trauma to the resident. Substandard training and understaffing are often to blame for this type of abuse.

Emotional abuse can include the following:

• Verbal assaults
• Intimidation
• Threats
• Humiliation
• Isolation

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse refers to non-consensual sexual contact by the staff or a fellow resident. Unfortunately, nursing home patients are often targets of sexual abuse because they cannot defend themselves. Sexual abuse can include the following:

• Unwanted touching
• Sexual assault
• Forced to watch sexual acts (eg, in person, or through pornography)
• Rape

Patients who experience sexual abuse at assisted living facilities tend to develop anxiety, depression, or insomnia

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is the illegal or improper use of a nursing home resident’s money or property. Anyone from the nursing home staff to a family member can commit this type of abuse.

Signs of such abuse in long-term care facilities can include the following:

• Unauthorized withdrawals from a resident’s bank account
• Forging a resident’s signature
• Stealing a resident’s money or possessions

Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing home neglect is another type of abuse. The staff is responsible for providing adequate care to residents, but sometimes they fail to do so. Signs of neglect include:

• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Poor hygiene
• Bedsores
• Unsanitary conditions

Medical malpractice is also a form of nursing home negligence. Malpractice refers to situations where a healthcare professional fails to provide adequate medical care to a patient, resulting in serious injuries or death.

Many people believe only doctors commit medical malpractice in nursing homes, but any medical professional, including nurses, pharmacists, and therapists, could be medically negligent.

If you suspect a loved one is being abused in a Rock Hill nursing home, consult a Rock Hill nursing home abuse lawyer to file a claim.

There are many reasons for nursing home abuse cases. However, some causes are more common than others in nursing homes, including:

• Lack of Staff: One of the most common causes of nursing home abuse is a lack of adequately trained staff. When there are not enough staff members, the ones working are overworked and stressed. In addition, it can lead to them taking their frustration out on the residents.
• Poor Training: Poorly trained staff are more likely to make mistakes. They may not know how to care for the residents or handle certain situations properly.
• Lack of Supervision: A lack of supervision is another common cause of nursing home abuse. When no one monitors the staff, they may be more likely to abuse the residents. Someone should always supervise the staff to ensure they do their job correctly.
• Physical or Mental Disabilities: Residents with physical or mental disabilities are more vulnerable to abuse. They may be unable to defend themselves.
• Lack of Visitors: Residents of assisted living facilities that don't have many visitors are more likely to be abused. The staff may think that no one will notice if they abuse the resident.

Nursing home residents are more likely to develop infections due to substandard care, mainly because of advanced age and existing medication conditions. Therefore, if you have family members in a Rock Hill nursing home, it's essential to look for signs of abuse or neglect.

Did you notice Rock Hill nursing home abuse or neglect? Inform the poliece or nursing home administration. Next, you can submit your concerns to the administrator, social worker, or ombudsman. You can also file a complaint with the state department that licenses nursing homes in your area.

If a crime has been committed like physical assault, rape, etc., you should contact Adult Protective Services and law enforcement. Make sure to provide as much information as possible when you register a complaint, such as the name of the alleged abuser, dates and times of the incidents, and any witnesses.

The nursing home might be complicit. Because of that, you can seek legal help from a Rock Hill nursing home abuse lawyer to file a lawsuit against the facility if your loved one was harmed. In cases where nursing home neglect results in a resident's death, their family can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

An experienced attorney from our affiliate law offices will help you navigate the complex legal system and ensure you get the justice you deserve.

If the authorities are aware of the abuse, you can still schedule a free consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer.

An attorney specializing in this type of case has the experience and knowledge necessary to help you receive the justice your loved one deserves. You can hire a nursing home abuse lawyer to:

Prepare a Case

If the neglect case goes to court, the lawyer will be able to help you prepare your case. The attorney will gather evidence of abuse or neglect, interview witnesses, and build a strong argument on your behalf.

Moreover, the attorney will negotiate with the nursing home's insurance company on your behalf to get you the best possible settlement.

Recover Compensation

Abuse and neglect in nursing homes can cause physical, emotional, and financial losses. If your loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect, you may be able to recover damages for their physical and emotional injuries.

Your attorney will fight to recoup any financial losses, such as medical bills or funeral costs. Our lawyers will discuss your options with you and help you decide the best course of action.

Receive Justice

In some cases, the only way to receive justice for your loved one is to take legal action against the nursing home's negligence. A lawyer with comprehensive knowledge of the local law will help determine if you have an abuse or neglect case against the Rock Hill nursing home.

A lawsuit can hold the nursing home accountable for its actions and force them to change its policies and procedures. It can also help to prevent future abuse from happening to other residents.

Nursing Home Law Center, LLC, is an award-winning caregiver negligence law firm that has a successful track record of recovering damages on behalf of those with a personal injury caused by negligent acts.

Our experienced South Carolina caregiver home abuse attorneys have specialized knowledge of tort law and experience with these types of complaints.

With a personal injury lawyer, you’ll likely receive damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering through a settlement or jury award paid by insurance companies covering the facility.

For legal advice on how we can assist you or to investigate suspicions of elder abuse or neglect, contact our Rock Hill, SC law offices today at (800) 926-7565 or through an online contact form. We will schedule a free lawyer consultation and case review. If we cannot help you recover damages, our services are free of charge.

For additional information on South Carolina laws, medical malpractice, and information on elder care facilities, look here.

Resources:

• NCBI: Older People Abuse in Nursing Homes
• HRW: Worry Over Neglect in Long-Term Care Facilities