Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in SC

When you have discovered abuse in a nursing home, you should call a nursing home abuse lawyer in SC as soon as possible. Nursing homes are excellent options for families who want to find a great facility for their elderly loved one when they are no longer able to care for them at home, for reasons such as time conflicts or because their loved one requires specialized care. While they provide a range of services, nursing home abuse cases do unfortunately occur. It is a recurring problem within the field. If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse committed by a healthcare professional, you should meet with a lawyer to learn about your legal options. 

Loved ones of resident’s in a nursing home have a right to expect their family members will be treated with respect and dignity. Along with this is a right to expect they will receive the care and attention they need and deserve. Elderly patients who live in nursing homes and rely on trained and professional staff members to care for them. When that trust is broken and violated, they have the right to take action. As victims in those situations, they are left powerless and unable to defend themselves. All nursing home abuse victims deserve to get justice for abuse inflicted on them. 

As more elderly people move into nursing, there has been a rise in the number of reported cases of abuse and neglect. In South Carolina, thousands of elderly men and women are subjected to emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse. Sadly, it is more common than not for the abuse to have gone on for months or years before it is identified. Elderly victims do not always speak up about their abuse because they are unable to or do not know how to come forward about their experience. Abuse is not always easy to spot, and it can come in many forms. Family members who have a suspicion that their loved one is being abused are urged to immediately speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer about their legal options. It is not something that should not be ignored. No matter how small your suspicion or piece of evidence is, it is worth bringing it to the attention of a trusted legal professional who can assist you with your case. Whenever family members suspect something is not right, calling a South Carolina nursing home abuse lawyer should be the next step. 

Despite federal regulations, as well as state laws, reports of abuse are filed every day with local and federal agencies. Many of the abused were afraid to speak up, and even more had no idea it was happening. To make matters worse, because of guidelines, procedures, policies, and arbitration agreements that are often involved, filing a civil claim for compensation can be difficult. With so many elements, the claims process can be long and confusing for the average victim to handle. There are many steps and hurdles to go through just to have a report processed. To speed up the process, having a nursing home abuse lawyer to guide and advocate for you can make your experience more efficient. They will make sure victims are heard and protected. In general, you will need to have a nursing home lawyer in SC on your side. 

At Poliakoff & Associates, P.A., we have a dedicated team of nursing home lawyers who are very familiar with these types of cases. They know the healthcare industry and its systems well, so they know what needs to be done. We know what it takes to investigate and build a case that gets results. Whether you are the victim, or loved ones of a nursing home resident, please get in touch with our firm today. We will be happy to review your questions and concerns and let you know what you should do next. 

The Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

The signs of abuse in a nursing home are often disguised by those who are responsible for the heinous actions. They will attempt to cover all signs and evidence of the abuse from other staff members and the victim’s families. This is especially true when the victim cannot effectively communicate the abuse, or otherwise feels fearful or intimidated by the offender. In general, it is the loved ones of a resident who will uncover the abuse. Family members of a victim can notice patterns or unusual details that don’t seem consistent with their loved one’s appearance, behavior, or what standard care they should be receiving. Because of this, it is very important to be able to recognize the signs of abuse. Some include, but are not limited to:

• The development of bedsores (pressure sores)
• Failure to treat bedsores (or other medical conditions)
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Misdiagnosis
• Falls, especially on multiple occasions
• Unsafe hazards
• Strangulation (from bed sheets, bed rails, etc.)
• Chemical restraint
• Over-medicating
• Noticeable change in appearance
• Extreme weight loss
• Unexplainable injuries
• Prolonged depression
• Emotional withdrawal

Anything that looks like it could be inconsistent with treatment protocols, or otherwise is suspicious, should be documented, reported, and monitored. Take note of every detail that may warrant inquiry. Whenever you meet with your loved one, check their appearance, behavior, and inspect their room for any signs. You may want to ask them directly about their interactions with staff and the quality of their care. By doing so, you might save your loved one, as well as other residents, from future abuse. 

However, it’s important to keep in mind that your loved one may not immediately speak up about how they have been treated. They may be reluctant to disclose details for several reasons, such as fear of retaliation, denial of the abuse, or they simply do not realize that abuse is occurring. Whatever the reason for the silence, be patient with them as you try to find evidence of abuse. 

Please note abuse goes beyond physical abuse. It is possible for a resident to be emotionally, financially, or sexually abused. Depression, sadness, anger, dis-engagement, lack of communication, rocking back and forth, missing money or valuable items are a few warning signs. A nursing home abuse lawyer in SC can elaborate on this during your consultation. 

If you or a loved one is being abused in a nursing home. Please call Poliakoff & Associates, P.A., to speak with a nursing home lawyer in SC now.

Is Your Loved One Suffering from Malnutrition?

It’s important to know the difference between the effects of natural aging and the effects of abuse – and a nursing home abuse lawyer in South Carolina can help you keep your loved ones safe.

When we get older, we slow down. It’s no secret. We just aren’t as active as we used to be, and we tend to enjoy taking things slower rather than rushing into life like we did in our youth. One of the major signs of our slowing down is a lack of appetite. We don’t knock back burgers and enjoy huge meals like we used to, and for the most part it’s a perfectly natural part of aging.

But what causes this lack of appetite? Well, it varies. Sometimes we lose our taste for certain foods, whether through our own tastes maturing or through an unfortunate side effect of some medication. Other times (such as when a person has experienced a stroke) it’s physically more difficult to eat food.

If you have an older relative living in a nursing home or an assisted care facility, it’s important to pay them regular visits to make sure they’re healthy and happy. Be on the lookout for the following signs of malnutrition, and remember to reach out to a nursing home abuse lawyer in SC if you suspect your loved one isn’t getting the care that he or she deserves.

What are the signs of malnutrition?

• Bad mood or depression: When people don’t eat enough, they get cranky. This rule doesn’t magically change when our loved ones move into nursing homes. If you’ve noticed your loved one has been uncharacteristically snippy or sad, make sure they’re getting enough to eat, and sit down with them in private to discuss their food.
• Expired food in the fridge: If your relative has access to a fridge, make sure there’s no expired or rotting food. If they’re keeping food long enough to go bad, chances are they aren’t eating enough of it and letting it go to waste. Old food is a telltale sign of malnutrition, and it’s important to talk to your loved one about the importance of a healthy diet.
• Wounds that are slow to heal: Wounds tend to take longer to heal with age, but this can be made worse when the body doesn’t have enough fuel. Malnutrition can make wounds last longer, which in turn can affect your loved one’s mood. This can be a vicious cycle: If they aren’t feeling their best, they might not be interested in eating – and if they aren’t eating enough, they won’t be feeling their best.

Reach out to a nursing home abuse lawyer today.

A loss of appetite is normal in our elderly relatives, but they should always have access to the food they need – especially in a nursing home. While many nursing homes are good places that provide proper care for our loved ones, others hide a toxic culture of abuse and neglect just under the surface.

If you suspect your elderly relative is being neglected and missing meals, it may be a sign of nursing home abuse. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with a lawyer to get the justice and compensation you both deserve: Reach out to Poliakoff & Associates, P.A. today, and see how a nursing home abuse lawyer in SC can help.

When we get older, we slow down. It’s no secret. We just aren’t as active as we used to be, and we tend to enjoy taking things slower rather than rushing into life like we did in our youth. One of the major signs of our slowing down is a lack of appetite. We don’t knock back burgers and enjoy huge meals like we used to, and for the most part it’s a perfectly natural part of aging.

But what causes this lack of appetite? Well, it varies. Sometimes we lose our taste for certain foods, whether through our own tastes maturing or through an unfortunate side effect of some medication. Other times (such as when a person has experienced a stroke) it’s physically more difficult to eat food.

If you have an older relative living in a nursing home or an assisted care facility, it’s important to pay them regular visits to make sure they’re healthy and happy. Be on the lookout for the following signs of malnutrition, and remember to reach out to a nursing home abuse lawyer in SC if you suspect your loved one isn’t getting the care that he or she deserves.

What are the signs of malnutrition?

• Bad mood or depression: When people don’t eat enough, they get cranky. This rule doesn’t magically change when our loved ones move into nursing homes. If you’ve noticed your loved one has been uncharacteristically snippy or sad, make sure they’re getting enough to eat, and sit down with them in private to discuss their food.
• Expired food in the fridge: If your relative has access to a fridge, make sure there’s no expired or rotting food. If they’re keeping food long enough to go bad, chances are they aren’t eating enough of it and letting it go to waste. Old food is a telltale sign of malnutrition, and it’s important to talk to your loved one about the importance of a healthy diet.
• Wounds that are slow to heal: Wounds tend to take longer to heal with age, but this can be made worse when the body doesn’t have enough fuel. Malnutrition can make wounds last longer, which in turn can affect your loved one’s mood. This can be a vicious cycle: If they aren’t feeling their best, they might not be interested in eating – and if they aren’t eating enough, they won’t be feeling their best.

Reach out to a nursing home abuse lawyer today.

A loss of appetite is normal in our elderly relatives, but they should always have access to the food they need – especially in a nursing home. While many nursing homes are good places that provide proper care for our loved ones, others hide a toxic culture of abuse and neglect just under the surface.

If you suspect your elderly relative is being neglected and missing meals, it may be a sign of nursing home abuse. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with a lawyer to get the justice and compensation you both deserve: Reach out to Poliakoff & Associates, P.A. today, and see how a nursing home abuse lawyer in SC can help.