Suspecting that a loved one has suffered through nursing home abuse can be painful. You’re worried about their safety and wellbeing, and you may be unsure where to turn. Who can help your family during this difficult time?
There are resources available to families who need to report nursing home abuse, including the trusted lawyers at Louthian Law Firm, P.A. Take the steps below if you suspect a family member is suffering abuse.
Know the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
When a loved one has been injured by nursing home staff, you first need to know how to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse. You may have noticed some bumps and bruises, but you may be unsure whether your loved one was injured purposefully, or if they simply had a minor accident.
If you see frequent injuries to your loved one, like scratches or bruises, and your loved one claims they’re being harmed, you may need to act now. Other signs of abuse may include bed sores, which are painful and occur when someone who can’t move is left in one position for too long.
Contact the Authorities
Once you have evidence of nursing home abuse, you need to contact local authorities. If you believe your loved one’s life and health are in danger, you may need to call 911 to get in touch with emergency services. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has a Complaint Program, which investigates claims like yours.
You may also connect with a nursing home abuse hotline. The people working for these hotlines can direct you to local services to help you protect your loved one. That may include removing them from the nursing home and relocating them to a place where they’ll receive the care they need.
Your Options for Legal Action
Your priority is seeing your loved one safe and well. But what’s the next step, once they’re out of danger? For many, a lawsuit is the next step to your family’s recovery. Your loved one may have suffered severe injuries from the abuse and neglect they suffered, and that can be difficult to overcome.
Worse, your family member may be unable to stand trial, so you may need to seek a guardianship to take their claim to court. Your lawyer can guide you through these details and help you get the compensation your family needs.
Speak with a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
When a loved one suffers nursing home abuse, it can be tough to help them recover. You may have a long, complicated case ahead of you for your family. But that’s not a step you have to take alone.
The lawyers at Louthian Law Firm, P.A. are here to help you take the right steps to report abuse and protect your loved one. Your lawyer can start with a free consultation, where we can help you determine the extent of the abuse, how to document the abuse, and your next steps toward compensation. For your free consultation, call 803-592-6231 or complete the following online contact form.
Bert Louthian has been practicing law in Columbia with his father, Herb, since 1985. After receiving his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina, Bert launched his legal career in his father’s firm. With 80 years of legal experience between them, Louthian Law, P.A. remains Family-Owned and Family-Focused.
Bert understands that when life goes wrong – when you or someone you love gets hurt or suffers a loss, it can feel like nothing will ever be right or fair again. He gets up and goes to work every day to prove that feeling wrong – and does everything in his power to make things right again.
