Most people that send their loved one to a South Carolina nursing home do so trusting that they would be well cared for. These facilities are required to provide older residents with a safe, comfortable environment to live in peace. The reality is that many nursing homes fall short of this standard.
If your loved one has experienced abuse at a nursing home, a practiced personal injury attorney could help them seek compensation from the nursing home, or their abuser. A South Carolina nursing home abuse lawyer could review the circumstances of our loved one’s abuse before guiding you on the best course of action.
Understanding Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse has many facets. It can be intentional or based on a caregiver’s indifference. In some cases, the facility’s refusal to provide the necessary amount of staff could lead to chronic abuse. A South Carolina attorney could help a nursing home resident pursue any form of abuse claim.
How Could a Nursing Home Resident Be Neglected?
Neglect involves the failure to provide for the basic needs of a nursing home resident. Neglect could occur as an intentional act or through staff oversight. Understaffing issues are particularly problematic in cases of neglect.
Physical Abuse
Much of the abuse that occurs in nursing homes is physical in nature. An injury or trauma that results from the intentional act of another person could qualify as physical abuse. In many cases, physical abuse involves striking or choking a resident. Physical abuse could also involve the use of physical or chemical restraints outside of emergency situations.
Sexual Abuse
Any unwanted sexual violation qualifies as sexual abuse. This could include a brief incident or a long-term pattern of abuse. Sexual abuse is problematic in a nursing home setting, as many residents lack the capacity to consent.
Financial Abuse
Despite the right to maintain their finances, many nursing home residents are in a vulnerable position. Financial abuse could occur in a nursing home at any point where a person uses leverage to transfer the wealth of the resident to another person. This could involve a basic act of theft, like stealing jewelry. It could also involve complex cases of fraud involving the transfer of real property or bank accounts.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is also known as psychological abuse. Instead of physical acts, this abuse results from verbal or nonverbal communication. This could include threats of injury or mistreatment. It could also involve insults or verbal abuse.
How Much Time Does Someone Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim?
It is important for a South Carolina resident that suspects nursing home abuse to contact an attorney right away. In addition to ensuring their loved one is out of a dangerous situation, a family member should also be aware of the strict deadlines for filing an abuse lawsuit.
Under state law, a plaintiff only has three years from the date the abuse occurs to file a lawsuit. If they miss this deadline, they could lose their chance at compensation forever.
Work with a South Carolina Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Nursing home abuse often leads to serious physical and emotional scars. The fiscal injuries that can occur are also significant. If your loved one is dealing with the consequences of abuse, you could pursue compensation from the responsible party.
A South Carolina nursing home abuse lawyer could help your family in their pursuit of compensation and justice. Call right away to initiate an abuse claim.
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