Gaffney Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer

Elder abuse is a crime!

If you believe your loved one is the victim of abuse or neglect at the hands of a long-term care facility or caregiver you trusted, you might not know where to turn. George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers is a firm that is dedicated to protecting the rights of all our clients. You and your loved one deserve justice, and a nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer serving Gaffney, SC may be able to help you achieve it.

Are you ready to learn more about how to secure compensation for the damages caused by elder mistreatment in a care facility? Our personal injury lawyers proudly serve Gaffney and the surrounding areas and are happy to guide you on the best course of legal action.

Understanding Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home abuse and neglect can present itself in a variety of ways. Nobody should ever have to tolerate any form of abuse or neglect, especially at the hands of their caregivers. Employees of assisted living homes and nursing homes are legally required to provide and maintain a safe environment for their residents. Staff members must meet the standard of care expected of them.

For this reason, the facilities are accountable for any damages the victims may suffer. Below, you will read about some of the common forms of abuse and neglect in nursing homes.

Neglect

Nursing home neglect is the most common form of mistreatment in these facilities. While neglect may not be intentional, it still has serious consequences. The signs of neglect include bed sores, fractures, bruises, infections, and poor personal hygiene. Here are a few reasons that neglect occurs:

• understaffed facilities
• overworked staff members
• crowded resident living conditions
• inexperienced staff members
• lack of staff supervision
• inadequate facilities and equipment

Neglect could include anything from missed medications to failing to bathe residents regularly. The results can be devastating and sometimes even fatal.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may leave physical marks, but this is not always the case. Physical abuse often includes hitting, pushing, and using unnecessary restraints.

Sexual abuse is also a part of physical abuse. This form of abuse may include rape, sexual touching, and unnecessary nudity. Signs of sexual abuse include bruising around the genitals.

Signs of physical abuse to look for include bruises, cuts, broken bones, and other injuries. You might also notice that your loved one flinches or is hesitant to speak about the staff members at the facility.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is difficult to spot because it doesn’t leave physical markers or proof of suffering. Staff members might threaten, intimidate, harass, or humiliate the resident. They may do this out of frustration or because they want to intimidate your loved one.

The signs of emotional abuse include changes in alertness and interest levels. Your loved one may appear depressed or anxious. In fact, you might even notice your loved one’s entire personality changes.

Financial Abuse

Some abusers prey on vulnerable victims in order to reap financial gains. They may steal cash, credit cards, and other valuable items. Some unscrupulous individuals even go as far as to take control of banking accounts owned by seniors.

A nursing home facility may also participate in financial elder abuse by billing the resident unnecessarily or by not providing services entitled to the resident.

Gaffney Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer Near Me888-612-7001

Damages in Nursing Home Abuse Cases

Seniors who suffer from nursing home abuse and neglect in Gaffney can seek legal action in order to recover the damages they deserve. Unfortunately, abuse often goes unreported due to a victim’s vulnerability or inability to speak about nursing home abuse or neglect.

Regardless of the type of abuse your loved one has faced, you should consider seeking compensation for damages with the help of a Gaffney nursing home abuse and neglect attorney.

A court decision in your favor means the accountable party must pay for medical care and related expenses linked to abuse. This party may also be forced to pay for counseling, which may address issues like PTSD and anxiety. In cases of financial abuse, the accountable party must compensate for lost funds.

Sometimes, a judge will also issue damages to compensate for physical pain, emotional suffering, mental anguish, and wrongful death.

Protect Your Loved One and Their Rights

Every nursing home resident has rights by law, as outlined in S.C. Code § 44-81-40. If you believe your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, contact a lawyer today at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers.

Our nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers serving Gaffney, SC, have the experience necessary to guide you on how to protect your loved one and hold the nursing home responsible.

If you are unsure where to start, set up a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys. The first consultation is free, and we work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for representation.