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The Tragic Reality Of Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect

Each year, millions of American families nationwide consider placing a family member in a nursing home or an assisted living community where they hope the day-to-day needs of their loved one would be satisfied in a safe, convenient, and comfortable environment. To many of them, the recent statistics suggesting that nursing home abuse and neglect is becoming an epidemic in the United States are more than alarming.

A recent survey indicates that approximately 2 million American senior citizens are exposed to some form of elder abuse or neglect taking place at a nursing home or an assisted living community. The actual number of victimized senior citizens in nursing homes is probably much larger, considering the fact that a majority of nursing home abuse and neglect cases go unreported.

We Stand Up For Seniors And Nursing Home Residents

We at Jordan Law Firm believe that no senior citizens should be abused, ignored, or neglected by their caretakers or in the nursing home or nursing facility with whom their day-to-day care and protection has been entrusted. Our personal injury lawyers subscribe to the idea that all senior citizens deserve to enjoy living in a safe, clean and comfortable environment. We will fight for their rights, and we will pursue compensation and justice when their rights have been violated. By doing so, we can help prevent others from suffering further harm in negligent facilities.

Based in Rock Hill, we handle these and other personal injury cases throughout South Carolina.

When Are Nursing Homes Liable For Mistreatment Of Residents?

Elder abuse and neglect at nursing homes and assisted living communities can take a variety of physical, emotional, or financial forms that are sometimes subtle. At those facilities where nurses or employees are incompetent or negligent, senior citizens are subjected to physical injuries, emotional distress, sexual abuse and financial exploitation. In those cases, nursing homes and assisted care facilities are liable to the injured parties.

Types Of Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect

Physical abuse is one broad category. Typical signs of physical abuse by a caretaker include:

  • Unexplained bruises or cuts
  • Torn or bloody clothing
  • Broken bones
  • Other unexplained or suspicious injuries

Verbal and emotional abuse is also a major issue in nursing homes. That type of abuse can include:

  • Intimidation through yelling or threats
  • Humiliating remarks
  • Gestures
  • Ignoring the patient’s needs
  • Isolating the patient from other residents and/or activities
  • Terrorizing the resident
  • Mocking the resident

Neglect and even medical malpractice can occur when:

  • Medications are not administered properly or in a timely manner
  • Unclean clothing or bed linens remain unattended
  • Unsanitary living conditions exist
  • Residents are malnourished or undernourished
  • Residents aren’t adequately monitored
  • Residents experience bedsores from lack of proper care
  • Residents aren’t given prompt medical treatment
  • Proper fall protection measures aren’t in place
  • Lack of adequate security and monitoring results in vulnerable residents leaving the property (“elopement”)

Finally, financial abuse and exploitation can occur both in the nursing home and caregiver context when a caregiver:

  • Misuses an elderly resident’s checks, accounts, or credit cards
  • Steals their money, checks or belongings
  • Forges their signature
  • Commits identity theft
  • Authorizes withdrawals or transfer of money without consent; steals her/his identity
  • Pressures or tricks them into phony charities or shady investment opportunities

Our attorneys help families seek justice in all of these cases.

Let Us Help Protect Your Vulnerable Loved One

If you suspect that a vulnerable loved one has been mistreated, you should contact a supervisor or manager at the facility immediately. For legal advice or representation concerning your situation in the context of nursing home/assisted living community liability, please contact us at 855-45 SCLAW (855-457-2529). We are here to help.