Columbia Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If your family member was the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, the Columbia nursing home abuse lawyers from George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers can help you hold the facility liable for your loved one’s damages.

We can investigate how the abuse occurred and calculate your losses to seek fair compensation. While we take care of the legal process, you can focus on your loved one’s health and recovery.

Damages Available in a Nursing Home Abuse Case in Columbia, SC

When a senior suffers abuse in a Columbia nursing home, compensable damages depend on the extent of their physical injuries and emotional suffering.

Some damages they can recover include:

• Medical care and related expenses stemming from neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse
• Ongoing care expenses
• Lost wages if you needed to care for your loved one after their injuries
• The cost of counseling, if necessary
• Refunds for financial abuse 
• Physical pain
• Mental anguish
• Loss of quality of life

We can file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit to seek damages. When we calculate your loved one’s losses, we will take both their current and projected damages into account. 

Columbia Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me803-999-2993

Your Loved One May Have Suffered Various Types of Abuse in a Nursing Home

It is difficult to think about someone abusing a vulnerable senior citizen. However, it happens far more often than you might think, according to the National Institute on Aging. It pays to look for signs every time you see your loved one and report anything suspicious as soon as possible.

Many people only consider physical assault when they think of nursing home abuse. However, there are a number of ways your loved one can suffer abuse at the hands of a caretaker or nursing home administrator.

Neglect

Sometimes, neglect is not intentional, but it still causes harm. Regardless, neglect is a form of abuse that warrants compensation. Chronic neglect can lead to serious health concerns, including bedsores and infections due to the lack of proper hygiene and routine care.

Some of the reasons neglect occurs include:

• Understaffing
• Overcrowding
• Inexperienced or uncertified caretakers
• Staff members who fail to provide proper care
• An administrator’s lack of supervision and oversight

None of these instances excuse a caretaker or nursing home administrator from the harm they cause either directly or indirectly.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse can leave cuts and bruises, as well as more serious injuries. This type of abuse may include:

• Hitting
• Pushing
• Punching
• Pinching
• Using improper force or restraints when handling residents

Physical abuse can be fatal for some residents, and you should remove your loved one from a facility upon the first signs of injury. 

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse leaves no physical indications but still causes suffering. It may include:

• Verbal threats
• Intimidation tactics
• Name-calling, racial slurs, and any other derogatory language
• Teasing 

Residents who suffer from dementia or other cognitive impairments may not be able to express what is happening to them. Others may simply fear retaliation from a caretaker. Make sure you talk to your loved one to determine if they are suffering any forms of emotional abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse can include anything from unwanted touching to inappropriate comments. Often, sexual abusers are also emotional abusers and threaten their victims into staying silent. If you notice any genital bruising or torn clothing, these could be signs that a caretaker, another resident, or a guest is sexually abusing your loved one.

Financial abuse

Financial abuse occurs any time someone takes advantage of a resident for their own financial gain. This may include:

• Stealing cash or valuables
• Using credit card information to place personal orders
• Gaining inappropriate control of the resident’s accounts
• Billing for services the resident does not need or want
• Billing for services there resident never receives

Financial abuse can be subtle, but it adds up over time. If you notice any personal items missing from your loved one’s room or unverified charges on their accounts, they may be a victim of financial abuse.

Report Suspected Nursing Home Abuse in Columbia, SC

Not every injury points to nursing home abuse. However, it pays to look for patterns and unusual signs that could indicate a problem in your loved one’s facility. If you raise your concerns and the nursing home staff cannot offer an explanation that puts you at ease, we recommend you file a complaint as soon as possible.

For Immediate Help

If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, do not hesitate to call the local police. Dial 911, and let police and paramedics handle the situation. They can provide the best care and address the situation faster than any other agency.

In addition to treating any immediate injuries, they will also file a police report that documents the potential abuse.

You should contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and file a complaint. You can do this by sending an email from their website or calling their report line. They have an obligation to fully investigate any complaint they receive that could be a case of nursing home abuse.

How Our Columbia Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Can Handle Your Case

You deserve to focus on getting your loved one back to health. We can handle the in-betweens of seeking fair compensation. Our legal services include:

• Investigating the abuse
• Collecting evidence of a caretaker or nursing home administrator’s liability
• Handling all the paperwork associated with your claim or suit
• Communicating with the liable parties and their representatives
• Assessing any settlement offers to prevent further losses
• Negotiating fair compensation with insurers
• Abiding by the deadlines for bringing legal action
• Representing you in court if necessary

We afford each of our clients personalized attention, and we will make ourselves available to answer any questions you may have. We want to make the legal process as simple as possible for you.

Deadlines You Should Be Aware of

If we do need to take legal action on your loved one’s behalf, you should be aware that you have a deadline to meet. Per S.C. Ann § 15-3-530, you generally have three years from the date of your loved one’s injury or death to bring a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit.

Failure to abide by this state-imposed deadline may cost you your chance to hold a liable party accountable. We also need time to investigate your case and negotiate a settlement; however, the statute of limitations does not pause for these procedures.

The sooner you call us, the sooner we can get started on your case to protect your rights. 

Work with Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Columbia, SC, Today

After you ensure your loved one is safe, go ahead and give us a call. We will review your situation and offer legal advice and support. We may be able to hold the nursing home’s parent company financially liable for your loved one’s abuse-related expenses and losses, including pain and suffering damages.

At George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, our nursing home abuse lawyers in Columbia, SC, can file a claim or bring legal action on your loved one’s behalf. Call us today at (803) 999-2993 for your free case evaluation.