Myrtle Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney in Myrtle Beach, SC

The Myrtle Beach, SC nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys on the Axelrod team care about your loved one and the mistreatment they may have suffered at the hands of nursing home staff.

One of the hardest parts of caring for and supporting your parent, grandparent, or other family members as they age is making the decision to allow a nursing home to care for them. You probably did your research – is this a reputable nursing home? Are there complaints about the treatment given to the residents? How does the campus look, and do the residents seem content?

They probably seemed kind and caring, and you were satisfied your loved one would be safe before you decided to allow them to stay at this facility. Which makes it all that more difficult to accept when your worst nightmare comes true, and you discover that your loved one is being mistreated or neglected…

Nursing home abuse and neglect can come in many different forms, including:

• Physical abuse,
• Sexual abuse,
• Financial abuse,
• Emotional abuse,
• Medical malpractice, or
• Wrongful death.

If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected at a nursing home in SC, call or contact Axelrod & Associates now – we can help to investigate the claims, stop the abuse, and make the facility pay compensation for the damage they have caused to your family.

HOW A SC NURSING HOME ABUSE ATTORNEY CAN HELP YOU

Your nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer on the Axelrod team wants to 1) help your loved one get maximum compensation for the abuse and the betrayal that they have suffered, and 2) do what we can to ensure this never happens to anyone again.

Your attorney will:

• Meet with you and your family members to find out what happened and to answer your questions,
• Investigate the claims of abuse or neglect, using investigators when needed and interviewing all potential witnesses,
• Help you to ensure that your loved one is safe and cared for whenever possible,
• Help you to report elder abuse to law enforcement for prosecution when appropriate,
• Demand full and fair compensation from the nursing home and any other responsible parties,
• Continue investigating the abuse and the causes of the abuse through litigation and discovery once a lawsuit is filed, and
• Try your loved one’s case to a jury when the nursing home does not pay full and fair compensation for the damage they have caused.

Once you suspect that abuse is happening, 1) take immediate steps to make your loved one safe, and 2) immediately contact a SC nursing home abuse attorney at Axelrod &; Associates.

Why Do I Need a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney?

Trying to navigate a nursing home neglect claim without an attorney is not advised. Though you may feel as though your claim is straightforward, care facilities have significant legal resources to argue against you. Without the help of a trained negligence attorney, you will likely lose your case. This not only means that your loved one will not get the compensation and justice that they deserve, but it also means that the abuse may continue within the care facility.

If you win your nursing home case, you will have the financial support to help your elderly loved one heal from the abuse that they have endured. This includes medical bills, mental health support, and the ability to find a new care facility with more trustworthy policies. These factors can really change your loved one’s life, so it is important to take the situation seriously. Hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you is the best way to approach the situation.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF NURSING HOME ABUSE AND NEGLECT?

Elderly family members are at a much greater risk of abuse than younger populations, and many cases of nursing home neglect and abuse are never reported because the family members did not recognize the signs.

Nursing home residents often have physical and sometimes mental limitations that may prevent them from standing up to abuse, fighting back, or even telling their family members what is happening to them.

This can be compounded by dementia or mental decline that causes caretakers or even family members to discount or misunderstand what the nursing home resident is trying to tell them.

There are some common symptoms of abuse and neglect that should always be investigated – make inquiries, look for additional signs of abuse, and, if things aren’t adding up, consider contacting a nursing home abuse attorney and law enforcement.

Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse in a Nursing Home

Some signs that may indicate physical abuse include:

• Unexplained bruising, scars, welts, broken bones, or dislocations,
• Signs of restraint like cord or rope marks on their wrists,
• Broken eyeglasses or torn clothing, or
• Caregivers who try to prevent you from speaking with your loved one alone.

Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Abuse in a Nursing Home

Emotional abuse may be more difficult to identify and to prove, but it is often accompanied by physical abuse. Signs of emotional abuse may include:

• Changes in behavior or mood that are unexplained by physical or mental conditions,
• Unusual behaviors that may resemble signs of dementia, like mumbling, rocking, or refusing to look at a caregiver, or
• Threatening, controlling, or insulting behavior on the part of the caregiver.

Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse in a Nursing Home

Although it is difficult to imagine a caregiver or other resident violating your family member in a nursing home setting, it can and does happen. Signs may include:

• Bruising around the genitals or breasts,
• Vaginal or rectal bleeding that is unexplained,
• Torn clothing or bloody underclothes, or
• Unexplained STDs.

Signs and Symptoms of Neglect in a Nursing Home

When you see signs of nursing home neglect, pay attention, look for additional signs of neglect or abuse, and say something.

Some common signs of nursing home neglect include:

• Bedsores that are caused by caregivers not helping the person regularly turn over in their bed,
• Not washing the patient, dirty skin, dirty clothing, or body odor,
• Unsanitary conditions like soiled bedclothes that are not changed, soiled clothing that is not changed, dirt, feces, or urine on the floor or bed, insects in their living space, or other dirty conditions,
• Unsafe conditions like a lack of heat, air conditioning, or clean running water,
• Unexplained weight loss or dehydration,
• Clothing that is inappropriate for hot or cold weather,
• Lack of proper medical care, or
• Lack of appropriate supervision.

Signs and Symptoms of Financial Abuse in a Nursing Home

The elderly are particularly vulnerable to financial abuse – signs of financial abuse include:

• Missing cash, checks, or bank cards,
• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts or ATMs,
• Changes in their power of attorney, will, or life insurance policies,
• Subscriptions or online orders that are unexplained, or
• Any unexplained changes to their finances.

Some signs of abuse may have innocent explanations, and elderly persons with physical or mental conditions can be prone to injury and forgetfulness through no fault of their caregivers.

But, when you see a sign of abuse or neglect, follow up. Ask questions. Listen to your loved one. And, if you find that it is not a misunderstanding and that abuse or neglect is happening, call a nursing home abuse attorney immediately.

FAQs About Myrtle Beach, SC Nursing Home Negligence Laws

How Can a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help?

Our SC nursing home abuse attorneys will collect evidence to support your case. Because every claim is different, we will assess what kind of proof we need for your case and formulate our argument based on the evidence available. We can also refute the claims made by the nursing home’s attorneys attempting to dismiss the behavior.

What Is the Most Common Abuse in Nursing Homes?

While all types of elder abuse are more prevalent than they should be, psychological abuse is the most common. Unfortunately, psychological and emotional abuse are more difficult to prove than sexual or physical abuse. Because of this, victims do not often speak up and instead allow the abuse to continue. However, with the help of a nursing home abuse attorney, you can bring your elder abuse story to court to seek justice no matter what kind of abuse has occurred.

How Do I Report Nursing Home Neglect in SC?

The South Carolina health department takes facility complaints online. However, they will not take legal action on your behalf. If someone is in immediate or ongoing danger, you can call the police or other emergency services. However, if you believe that your loved one is safely away from their abuser, your best course of action is to hire an attorney first. We can help you to report the neglect properly and use it and the surrounding evidence to build your case.

What Is the Definition of Abuse in a Nursing Home?

Nursing home abuse is defined as any neglect or harm inflicted on a resident of a nursing home or care facility. This harm can be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial. Most cases of nursing home abuse are unique, which can make them difficult to identify. However, anytime you notice sudden changes in your loved one, it is worth exploring the possibility that abuse has been or is occurring.

GOT AXELROD?

Our firm offers the best nursing home abuse legal services in the Myrtle Beach area. If your loved one has been subjected to abuse or neglect at a nursing home or other facility, the Myrtle Beach nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at Axelrod &; Associates may be able to help them to get maximum compensation for their injuries.

Call 843-916-9300 or complete our contact form for a free initial consultation.