PruittHealth is a very large organization that encompasses over 180 locations across Georgia, Florida, and North and South Carolina. Their Columbia location is very large with 185 beds, but not all residents have received the quality care they need and deserve. The company’s Medicare ratings are low, and the facility has had many complaints and lawsuits filed against it in the past. Our PruittHealth negligence lawyer has been directly involved in legal action against the facility.
Types of Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing home abuse refers to a direct action taken by one or more people, typically nursing home staff members, against a resident that results in physical, emotional, or financial harm. While nursing home abuse may be intentional, nursing home negligence is not. Nursing home negligence refers to when nursing home staff members fail to act in a manner that prevents elderly residents from suffering harm.
There are different types of nursing home negligence, including:
- Physical negligence: Physical negligence in nursing homes takes many forms. For example, when a nursing home resident is not provided with proper hydration and nutrition, they can suffer from malnutrition and dehydration, which both cause serious medical issues. If staff members do not properly assist residents when they are walking or getting out of bed, the resident may fall and suffer severe injuries. These are just a few examples of physical negligence that occur in facilities such as PruittHealth.
- Emotional negligence: While physical negligence can result in serious injuries to nursing home residents, so too can emotional negligence. Nursing home residents also have emotional needs that must be met. For example, a nursing home staff member may forget to ensure residents are socializing regularly, and they should not interfere with visits from friends and family members. When nursing home staff members fail to do this, residents can suffer emotional harm such as depression and anxiety.
What is PruittHealth?
PruittHealth Columbia is a nursing and rehabilitation center, and it is one of many providers in the area. Their website states that they provide comprehensive services and are dedicated to caring for their residents and ensuring they receive the medical care and attention they need. The facility offers both short and long-term care, and they claim to provide customized solutions for a resident’s health care needs.
The facility also boasts about its home-like environment that is on the cutting edge of care for aging and rehabilitation. They promise smooth transitions that provide companionship and comfort with warmth and a personal touch. Unfortunately, the Medicare ratings for PruittHealth are substandard, and the organization has had several lawsuits filed against it.
The Drawbacks of PruittHealth
Although PruittHealth’s website makes many promises, official inspections tell a different story, as do residents who have stayed there in the past.
Medicare has given PruittHealth Columbia an overall rating of one star, which is “Much below average.” They also received a one-star rating for health inspections and a two-star rating, which is “Below average,” for their quality measures. The Medicare rating for PruittHealth’s staffing was three stars, which is considered “Average.” These low ratings show that residents may be at risk when staying at PruittHealth Columbia.
In addition to the low Medicare ratings, the facility has also had many complaints and lawsuits filed against it. In 2019, the company was sued for wrongful death after a resident passed away from complications stemming from bed sores. Bed sores are often the result of residents being left in beds and wheelchairs for long periods of time without receiving the attention they need.
In 2003, the company also experienced a data breach, exposing the private health information of thousands of residents. A class action lawsuit was filed, citing a failure to implement sufficient security measures that would protect the personal information of residents.
Our PruittHealth negligence lawyer has also filed legal action against PruittHealth. The case was filed in November of 2024 and argued that a resident was not given the proper IV fluids after she returned to the facility from an emergency room visit. This resulted in multiple injuries, including bed sores. The lawsuit pursued compensatory damages for the resident’s mental anguish, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, along with punitive damages. This case was one of many filed by our experienced attorney.
What Laws Protect Nursing Home Residents in South Carolina?
To prevent nursing home abuse and negligence, South Carolina legislators have enacted the Omnibus Adult Protection Act, found in SC Code, § 43-35-5. The Act offers many protections for vulnerable adults to ensure they do not experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation by the very people trusted to care for them. The Act defines a ‘vulnerable adult’ as anyone who is 18 years of age or older and who experiences mental or physical conditions that prevent them from caring for themselves.
The Act also requires healthcare professionals, social workers, staff members, and individuals who are aware abuse is occurring to report any misconduct in nursing homes. It also outlines the process for reporting nursing home neglect to provide further protection.
How Can Our PruittHealth Negligence Lawyer Help?
When going up against long-term care facilities such as PruittHealth, do not do it alone. Nursing home negligence is devastating for everyone in the family, and during this difficult time, you should not have to think about all of the legal details. Our PruittHealth negligence lawyer will handle all the legal details of your case, including collecting evidence and negotiating a fair settlement for your family. PruittHealth also has a team of lawyers that defends these cases on its behalf, so it is critical that you also have legal representation on your side.
Call Our PruittHealth Negligence Lawyer Today
If you have a loved one staying in PruittHealth and believe they have been the victim of neglect, you need the help of a PruittHealth negligence lawyer. At Rikard & Protopapas, our experienced attorney can accurately assess the legal damages your loved one deserves, negotiate effectively on your behalf, and, if necessary, represent you at trial.
We serve clients in 29401, 29402, 29403, 29405, 29407, 29409, 29412, 29413, 29414, 29417, 29424, 29425, and 29492. Call us now at 803-978-6111 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help you need.