What to do if you Suspect Abuse - Charleston, South Carolina

If you suspect that your family member may be the victim of nursing home neglect, you should take immediate action to prevent further tragedies from happening.

1. Get immediate medical help.

If you find that your loved one is suffering from bed sores, pressure sores, infections, untreated pain, dehydration, malnutrition, unexplained injuries, fractures, or rapid weight gain or loss, make sure they immediately get the medical attention they need. Left untreated, these conditions can quickly become very serious for nursing home residents. You may consider also discussing the matter with a legal professional such as an experienced nursing home lawyer to determine if actions against the nursing home or medical provider is appropriate.

2. Report serious abuse.

South Carolina states that is any form of mistreatment that results in physical or financial harm or loss to an elderly person. You can report elder abuse in South Carolina. For nursing home elder abuse, call 803-898-2950; and for domestic/community elder abuse, call 803-898-7318. Contacting the state attorney general’s office to report nursing home neglect or abuse and using private attorneys can bring the matter to light and to justice. If you have any questions regarding the nursing home neglect or abuse of a family member in a nursing home, please contact us.

3. Monitor finances.

Any attempt of a nursing home staff member or other resident to get money from your loved one should raise concern. If your loved one is still managing their own finances, take an opportunity to discuss with them the wisdom of allowing a third party, to review financial decisions. Advise them against making any investments or business deals with anyone they meet through the assisted living center.

4. Handle other matters directly with the nursing home first.

If your loved one does not have an immediate or serious medical need, but is complaining about neglect or other matters, get as much information as you can and keep notes. If you find that unsanitary conditions exist, for example, take pictures and keep a journal. When appropriate, schedule a time to discuss your concerns with the staff or head of the nursing home. If problems do not cease than you can consider government assistance and legal assistance is available.

Of course, simply because your loved one is not happy in a nursing home does not necessarily mean there is a deficiency in the staff or your loved one’s care. Many older people simply do not want to be in an assisted living facility and some will constantly complain in hopes of being removed from the facility. The best way to handle this is to continually affirm your love for the resident by calling, visiting, or sending cards.

5. Investigate an unexpected death.

A very small percentage of deaths in nursing homes are the result of negligence such as dehydration, starvation, or bedsores. However, when they do occur, these causes of death are all viable grounds for loved ones to pursue nursing home litigation on behalf of the decedent. Consult a lawyer with experience in the field of nursing home negligence and elder care. Because special rules and laws apply, your attorney needs to have expertise in this field.

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If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or due to the negligence of a medical care provider, contact a South Carolina accident lawyer at the Bostic Law Firm today. Our office is located in Charleston, but we represent clients from many areas, including North Charleston, Mt Pleasant, Ravenel, Hollywood, Goose Creek, Monks Corner, Summerville, Hampton County, Colleton County, Berkeley County, Dorchester County ,Beaufort, Jasper County, Columbia, Daniel Island, Sumter, Aiken, Greenville, Walterboro, Hanahan, James Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Island, Johns Island, Rantowles, Edisto, Jericho, Osborn, Wadmalaw Island, Yonges Island, Meggett, Adams Run, Walterboro, Rockville, Kiawah, Seabrook, Chester, Lincolnville, Ladson, Horry County, Spartanburg, and others. Complete a FREE Online Consultation Form or call us today.

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