If you or a loved one has been abused in a residential care facility, we invite you to talk to a Charleston nursing home abuse lawyer. We help people who have been wronged by the negligent acts of others. Call or message Rikard & Protopapas to talk to a lawyer about your situation.
What Does a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Do?
When you or a loved one has been harmed in a nursing home, you have important questions:
Is what happened to me or my family member nursing home abuse?
How do I prove nursing home abuse?
Can I receive compensation for what occurred? What is my case worth?
How do I make sure this doesn’t happen to someone else?
How can I start a legal claim?
If you have these questions, call Rikard & Protopapas to talk to a nursing home abuse lawyer in Charleston. Learn about your rights and how a claim can provide answers and accountability. See how it may result in financial compensation.
Attorneys for Nursing Home Abuse Victims in Charleston
There are thousands of people living in nursing homes in Charleston, South Carolina. U.S. News & World Report says that there are 20 nursing home facilities in Charleston. These facilities vary in size, with some having hundreds of beds. They are both for-profit and non-profit operations. A nursing home is just that – a home where residents expect to be safe and cared for. When abuse occurs, victims need help.
You can have a legal team helping you with each step in pursuing justice from a nursing facility. Throughout your case, we take the time to answer your questions and explain everything. Together, we work towards a better future for nursing home abuse victims.
Examples of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse happens in many ways. Whether it is physical assault, indirect physical harm or mental abuse, it is unacceptable. Victims have important rights. Our legal team advocates for victims and families.
Some examples of nursing home abuse are:
- Physical: Assault and battery, hitting or striking a resident, including with an object. A resident may suffer serious injuries including broken bones, brain trauma and bruising.
- Neglect: Failing to have adequate fall protection, walking supports and other measures for the safety of residents may amount to neglect. The needs of each resident should be addressed.
- Hygienic: A care facility must take reasonable steps to prevent infection, illness and disease that may result from poor hygiene.
- Medical: Residents may not receive the medical attention they need. They may be overmedicated as a way of control. They may be left for too long without attention resulting in bedsores and other deterioration of health.
- Sexual: Sexual abuse is a form of nursing home abuse.
- Mental and emotional: Victims may be threatened with having care withheld. They may be insulted or belittled and other forms of mental and emotional abuse.
- Daily needs: People in care facilities need adequate attention to their daily needs. They need food, clean facilities and other comforts. Failing to meet the everyday needs of residents may result in harm.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect FAQs
What should I do if I suspect abuse in a nursing home in Charleston, SC?
You may report suspected nursing home abuse in Charleston by calling the South Carolina Long Term Care Ombudsman at 1 (800) 868-9095. If you suspect nursing home abuse, and someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Why hire an attorney for nursing home abuse?
It’s our mission to secure meaningful compensation for those who have been wronged by the negligent acts of others. When you have an attorney, their goal is protecting your legal rights. That means the case focuses on compensation for the victim and accountability for what has occurred.
Having an attorney means having a trained legal advocate on your case.
While other social agencies may work to protect your loved one’s safety and the safe operation of the facility in general, our Charleston injury lawyers focus on the victim’s damages and the fair compensation they should receive for the wrong that has happened.
What are the signs of nursing home abuse?
Signs of nursing home abuse may include physical trauma such as broken bones, bruising and brain injury. However, some abuse is harder to detect, and warning signs may include a decline in physical health, weight loss, anxiety, not wanting to participate in social events or having a fear of certain caregivers. If something seems amiss, we invite you to contact our law firm to talk about the situation.
Does a nursing home abuse victim have to testify in court?
When we meet with victims and families, they’re often worried about a stressful court proceeding. Most claims don’t end up going to trial. It’s important to pursue the case thoroughly to give you options to resolve the case as you choose. Our team can explain what it’s like to go to trial, and if it’s likely in your case. We take your wishes and goals into account as we prepare your case plan. Rest assured, we’re your representatives through each step until your case is fully resolved.
Talk to a Lawyer About Nursing Home Abuse
At Rikard & Protopapas, we represent nursing home abuse victims in Charleston and throughout the state. We take care of everything. From starting your case to building the evidence and pursuing the claim in court, we are full-service lawyers who assist you with the entire process.
You may know exactly what happened, and you’re ready to act. Maybe you’re simply questioning the policies, practices and level of care that you or a family member has received in a nursing home. Whatever the situation, don’t wait to contact a Charleston nursing home abuse lawyer. We can investigate and assist you to respond appropriately. Consultations with our law firm are always free.
We accept calls from residents as well as from concerned family members.
Call or message us today to talk to a Charleston nursing home abuse lawyer.