Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Mount Pleasant, SC

Nursing home abuse is a tragic occurrence that destroys lives and saddles people with heavy financial and emotional losses. Nursing home abuse attorneys represent abuse victims and their loved ones to help them get justice — including compensation for injuries and emotional and psychological harms. If you are looking for an experienced nursing home abuse attorney who will take swift action, look no further than attorney Matthew Breen. Years of training at The Citadel and even more years fighting for clients have made him a formidable attorney of action who is more than prepared to fight for his clients’ needs. 

Call Lowcountry Law, LLC, today for a free consultation and case review from an experienced nursing home abuse attorney.

Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes

The abuse that occurs in residential care centers can take several different forms. Any treatment — or lack of treatment — that results in physical or psychological harm to residents could be considered abuse. The following are types of nursing home abuse and the injuries that result from it.

Physical Abuse

Tragically, some nursing home residents become victims of serious physical abuse by a  staff member or by other residents. Regardless of the source, it is the specific duty of the nursing home to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.  

When physical abuse occurs in nursing homes (about 30% of all reported cases of abuse), it is not limited to striking or kicking a resident. Also included are pushing and shoving, restraining (both physically and chemically), and other forms of physical molestation that harm. 

Emotional and Other Forms of Non-Physical Abuse

Various forms of emotional abuse exist, all of which significantly decrease a resident’s quality of life and may lead to certain stress disorders. Threats and bullying are two insidious forms of emotional abuse that can lead to violence.

Another form of non-physical abuse is financial abuse, which is increasing faster than any other type of abuse. Residents may lose hard cash, jewelry, and other valuable items from their rooms. They can also be taken advantage of by staff or other residents who trick them into signing over valuable property or money.

Neglect

Neglect refers to substandard or absent care. In the realm of sustenance, neglect occurs when a resident fails to receive the food or water they need to remain healthy. Sometimes, the issue involves too little food, and other times the opposite is the case. 

Neglect also occurs in the realm of hygiene. Some residents are utterly reliant upon nursing home staff to keep them clean, and most need their living quarters cleaned as well as their bedding and towels. When these are neglected, all humans, especially the elderly and the very young, start to deteriorate and develop negative health conditions.  

Falls 

Many forms of negligence in nursing homes lead to residents falling and becoming injured, including:

• Slippery and cluttered nursing home floors and doorways
• Broken beds and furniture
• Faulty or absent handrails
• Dangerous landscaping
• Holes and uneven walking surfaces
• Poorly lit walkways and common areas

In cases of abuse, the falls often come about through direct physical assault from a staff member or another resident. 

Medical Malpractice

Doctors, nurses, technicians, and other healthcare workers can all be held liable for medical malpractice, which occurs when any of these deliver substandard medical care. Sadly, medical malpractice against the young and elderly can be particularly harmful.

In the nursing home setting, medical malpractice may be caused by medical professionals who are on staff at the nursing home or by healthcare professionals at another facility that the abused elder visited for care, such as a clinic.

Nursing Home Abuse Injuries

The abuse and neglect listed above can lead to severe injuries and even death, especially when it continues on a regular basis. This is why it’s essential to act quickly to help your loved one before they develop one or some of the following injuries:

• Bedsores and pressure ulcers
• Head injuries
• Dehydration 
• Malnutrition
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Infections

In many cases, nursing home residents begin their stays with preexisting conditions. When they face abuse, their conditions may become exacerbated and quickly lead to their deterioration. 

How Lowcountry Law Can Help Your Loved One

Lowcountry Law, LLC, stands for integrity and justice. Our mission is to help the injured and vulnerable. From his time at The Citadel and throughout his many years representing clients, our founding attorney Matthew Breen has always believed in and practiced discipline, hard work, and honor. 

When you choose Lowcountry Law, LLC, to help your loved one, we will:

• Review your case and plan strategies for compensation
• File a claim for compensation
• Collect key evidence, such as photos, video footage, and depositions
• Negotiate directly with insurance companies for compensation
• Prepare and go to trial if necessary

Our number one concern when investigating these cases is your loved one. We want their safety, and we want to help them get recompense for the injuries and damages they have suffered. We also want you to have peace of mind that something is being done to get justice for the abuses. 

Call our Mount Pleasant office today to schedule a complimentary consultation with our nursing home abuse attorney and let us help you take the next important steps forward. 

How You Can Recognize Nursing Home Abuse

In addition to overt, physical signs of abuse, there are less obvious signs that also point to the existence of abuse or neglect. If you notice any of them, take action immediately and reach out to a nursing home abuse attorney for the benefit of your loved one. 

Changes in Behavior and Mood

Was your loved one once outgoing and friendly? How about docile and courteous? If abuse is occurring, you may see your loved one behave in a manner inconsistent with their normal behavior. 

Extroverts often turn into introverts when abused, and courteous individuals sometimes exhibit rude and aggressive behavior out of the blue. In some cases, they may even lash out with violence unexpectedly. 

Unexplained Weight Loss

Weight loss is common in nursing homes and may have various reasons, from increased activity to a self-imposed diet. However, if there is no explanation for why your loved one has lost or is losing weight, then you have a bonafide red flag worth investigating. 

Drastic Change in Routine

Many elders have developed customs and rituals over the years that stick with them as residents of a nursing home. If you notice one of your loved one’s essential customs or habits has changed, dig some more to find out why.

Uncharacteristic Drug or Alcohol Consumption or Abuse

You are likely to know the consumption habits of your loved one. So if you notice they are drinking more than usual on a regular basis or are using or abusing drugs, then there’s likely a reason. Sadly, it is abuse in some cases. 

Act fast and contact a nursing home abuse attorney once you suspect nursing home abuse, even if things seem to be getting better. Your loved one depends on the nursing home for their care. When the nursing home fails them, they rely on you. 

Contact Lowcountry Law, LLC, for a Free Consultation

Attorney Matthew Breen is ready to help you take legal action against those who have abused your loved one. For three years in a row, Mr. Breen has been named a SuperLawyer, which means he is well-respected by his peers and knows how to win cases for his clients. 

Call Lowcountry Law, LLC, to set up a consultation with a nursing home abuse attorney who cares. Take the first step toward action against those who have harmed your loved one.