South Carolina Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

What Constitutes Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse encompasses a wide range of actions and neglect that can cause harm to residents. 

It falls under four main categories: 

• Physical abuse is characterized by intentional infliction of physical harm, such as hitting, shoving, or inappropriate use of restraints.
• Emotional abuse can be both verbal and nonverbal. It may consist of humiliation, threats, isolation, or demeaning remarks that induce distress.
• Sexual abuse involves any non-consensual sexual activities, which can include actions perpetrated against a resident who is not capable of giving consent.
• Neglect, though passive, can be just as harmful. It involves failing to provide for a resident’s basic needs – be it food, hygiene, medication, or social interaction.

Any actions or omissions that inflict harm, potential harm, or distress can be categorized under nursing home abuse. If you or a loved one have experienced any such conduct, it’s crucial to take immediate action. It’s not merely about seeking justice; it’s about protecting the safety and dignity of our most vulnerable citizens.

Common Forms of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse is a multifaceted issue that manifests in various forms. 

The following are common forms of nursing home abuse that residents may experience:

• Financial abuse: This form of abuse involves the unauthorized use of a resident’s financial resources. This could be through theft of money or personal items, forgery, or misuse of power of attorney. 
• Healthcare fraud: Sometimes, healthcare providers may engage in unethical practices such as overcharging services, underdelivering care, or billing for care that was never provided. This form of abuse not only harms the residents but also leads to financial losses.
• Resident-to-resident abuse: Abuse is not always perpetrated by the staff. Sometimes, other residents may engage in behavior that causes physical, emotional, or sexual harm to fellow residents.
• Abandonment: This form of abuse occurs when a nursing home fails to provide necessary care to a resident, putting their health and safety at risk.

Proving Nursing Home Abuse

Establishing that a person’s injuries are a result of nursing home abuse is a complicated but critical process that can include collecting documentation, witness accounts, and professional assessments. 

A good rule of thumb is to document everything that may point toward suspected abuse. This includes unusual injuries, changes in behavior or psychological state indicative of distress, and any unusual financial transactions or changes in the resident’s financial status. Photographs or video recordings, where appropriate and legally permitted, can serve as compelling visual evidence.

Witness accounts, including those from other residents, visitors, or nursing home staff, can provide additional corroborative evidence.