Families trust nursing homes to protect their vulnerable loved ones and give them the daily support they can no longer manage alone. When injuries occur, families often feel shocked, confused, and unsure where to turn. At Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we have seen how preventable injuries can signal deeper problems inside a facility that fails its residents.
Our firm has represented injured people from across South Carolina since 1968, and we partner with esteemed co-counsel to take on the toughest nursing home cases. One of our recent results includes a $291,000 settlement for an elderly woman in Columbia who fractured her hip in a nursing home slip-and-fall accident. Her injury could have been avoided with proper care. Her case is an example of how
On this page, we break down the common injuries that might be a sign of neglect in nursing homes, explain warning signs families should not ignore, and outline how to protect someone dear to you if you suspect abuse, neglect, or improper treatment.
Pressure Injuries and Sores From Residents Sitting Too Long
Pressure ulcers, also called bedsores, can be a sign of neglect. These wounds often form when elderly residents sit or lie in the same position for too long. Proper care requires staff to turn residents regularly, use pressure-relief devices, and monitor for early signs of skin breakdown.
When pressure ulcers progress to open wounds or infections, it’s usually a red flag that the resident did not receive timely medical attention or daily checks. In severe cases, pressure ulcers can lead to sepsis, amputations, and even death. These outcomes are often preventable when staff members simply follow standard care procedures.
Pressure ulcers may also point to deeper issues. They can show that staff fail to meet basic care needs. They often reveal staffing shortages that prevent workers from keeping up with resident care. Families should treat any pressure ulcer as a serious warning sign.
Unexplained Bruises, Broken Bones, and Repeated Falls
Falls and impact injuries are common in nursing facilities, yet many of them are avoidable. Poor lighting, cluttered walkways, wet floors, or a lack of mobility assistance often contribute to these incidents. When a nursing home resident develops unexplained bruises, broken bones, or head injuries, families should question how the injury occurred.
Falls that result in hip fractures, spinal injuries, or brain trauma are devastating for elderly patients. Many never fully recover. Serious injuries like these often indicate:
- A resident was left unattended, even after calling for help
- Staff failed to use fall-prevention equipment
- The facility ignored documented fall risks
- Poor safety protocols allowed hazards to remain in walking areas
Repeated falls are also considered nursing home neglect because staff should reassess and adjust a resident’s care plan every time an injury occurs. If injuries keep happening, it usually shows the facility did not take steps to prevent future harm.
Malnutrition, Dehydration, and Poor Hygiene That Suggest Elder Neglect
Food, water, and hygiene should never be neglected in a nursing home. Yet many residents suffer harm at facilities that fail to maintain basic standards. Signs of neglect may include:
- Dry mouth or cracked lips
- Sudden weight loss
- Dirty clothing or bedding
- Strong odors indicate a lack of bathing
- Signs of emotional neglect, such as withdrawal or fear
Malnutrition and dehydration weaken the immune system, slow wound healing, and increase the risk of infections. Poor hygiene increases the risk of urinary tract infections and skin conditions. These issues often point to understaffing or staff that simply fail to check on residents in a timely manner.
Families should watch closely for changes in a loved one’s appearance. Neglect that starts with hygiene problems often escalates into more serious injuries.
Medication Errors and Improper Medical Treatment
Many nursing home residents take multiple medications that must be given at specific times and in specific doses. When medication errors occur, they can cause life-threatening reactions. Mistakes happen when staff mix up prescriptions, skip doses, or fail to monitor side effects.
Improper medical treatment may involve:
- Giving the wrong medication
- Administering medication at the wrong dose
- Ignoring a resident’s medical records
- Delaying necessary treatment
- Failing to call a physician during emergencies
- Purposefully withholding or stealing a resident’s prescription drugs
- Wrongly using medication to subdue a resident
Medication errors are considered medical neglect since nursing homes must follow strict laws and procedures to protect residents. When they fail, it is often because of deeper organizational failures, such as inadequate training or poor communication among staff.
If a loved one suddenly becomes disoriented, overly sedated, or unusually agitated, it may point to a medication problem.
Emotional Abuse, Isolation, and Signs of Trauma
Physical injuries are not the only harm residents suffer. Emotional abuse and emotional neglect can cause lasting trauma. Residents who feel afraid, isolated, or intimidated often show behavioral changes.
Warning signs include:
- Withdrawal from family members
- Fear of certain staff
- Sudden depression
- Rapid decline in communication
- Anxiety during visiting hours
Emotional abuse can occur when staff yell at residents, ignore their needs, or isolate them from other residents. These actions violate state and federal elder care standards. Emotional trauma often appears alongside physical injuries when the facility’s environment is unsafe.
In some cases, resident-on-resident abuse occurs. The nursing home has a responsibility to step in and correct the situation. Failure to stop or ignoring abuse, whether knowingly or not, can be grounds for a nursing home neglect lawsuit.
Infections and Illnesses That Suggest Systemic Neglect
Injuries in nursing homes are not always caused by direct physical harm. Uncontrolled infections or illnesses also raise concerns. Residents in poor sanitary conditions or those with untreated wounds face a serious risk.
Common signs include:
- Repeated urinary tract infections
- Untreated respiratory infections
- Skin infections around wounds
- High fevers without explanation
When infections spread quickly, it may show that the facility failed to follow hygiene protocols. It may also show neglect in monitoring residents who need regular medical checks. These situations can escalate to hospitalizations or wrongful death when untreated.
A Value-Driven Approach to Holding Nursing Homes Accountable
At Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our approach to nursing home neglect cases is guided by deeply held values that influence how we approach every family and every investigation. We understand that placing a loved one in a nursing home requires trust, and when that trust is broken, families deserve advocacy rooted in accountability and compassion.
Our firm culture informs not only what we do, but how we do it.
- We approach every case with empathy and respect. Families come to us during stressful and emotional moments. We listen carefully, treat concerns seriously, and recognize the dignity of every elderly resident affected by neglect or abuse.
- We believe in responsibility and follow-through. When facilities fail to meet required standards of care, we take that failure seriously. Injured nursing home residents deserve the time and resources needed to uncover patterns of neglect, staffing issues, and systemic problems that place residents at risk.
- We value preparation and consistency. Nursing home cases often involve medical records, care plans, and regulatory standards. We take a disciplined approach to reviewing evidence so families can rely on clear explanations and informed guidance.
- We operate as a unified team. Our attorneys and staff work collaboratively, sharing insight and experience to strengthen each case. We also have established co-counsel relationships with other injury firms to target nursing home abuse across the Palmetto State. This teamwork helps us identify overlooked details that can make a difference for vulnerable residents.
- We are committed to serving South Carolina communities. Protecting elderly residents aligns with our broader responsibility to promote safety and accountability. We believe legal advocacy plays a role in improving care standards beyond a single case.
What Families Should Do If They Suspect Abuse or Neglect
Families should act promptly when signs of neglect appear. Early action protects vulnerable residents and helps build a record of what occurred. Steps include:
1. Contact the Authorities
If you believe your loved one’s immediate health or safety is at risk, do not hesitate to call 911.
2. Document the Warning Signs
Take photos of injuries, unsafe conditions, and visible changes in appearance. Note dates, times, and the names of staff members involved. Documentation is important because injuries often fade.
3. Gather Medical Records
Request the resident’s medical records, care plan, and medication lists. These records may show changes in health or gaps in care.
4. Report Concerns to State Agencies
Families may contact:
- South Carolina Department on Aging
- Local adult protective services
These agencies investigate elder abuse and nursing home negligence. They also help ensure the resident receives proper care moving forward.
Contact South Carolina’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) at 1-800-868-9095 to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation in a nursing home setting.
5. Contact Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys
A nursing home abuse attorney can investigate the injury, gather evidence, and hold negligent facilities accountable. Attorneys can also help pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain, emotional trauma, and future care needs. Families often reach out to attorneys after they see repeated injuries or neglect that the facility ignores.
FAQs About Common Injuries in Nursing Homes
Nursing Home Abuse Common Injuries
What should families do if the facility denies responsibility for a resident’s injuries?
Families can continue documenting changes, request written statements, contact state authorities, and seek an independent medical review. An attorney can help evaluate whether the facility’s explanation is consistent with the evidence.
Can a nursing home be held liable if neglect is caused by understaffing?
Yes. Chronic understaffing can constitute negligence if it prevents residents from receiving the care required by state and federal regulations.
Are residents allowed to refuse certain treatments or medications?
Residents generally retain the right to participate in decisions about their care, including the right to refuse treatment, unless a legal guardian or a care directive states otherwise.
How quickly should a nursing home report an injury to a resident’s family?
Facilities are typically required to notify family members or healthcare proxies promptly, especially when an injury affects the resident’s health, safety, or requires medical intervention.
What signs may indicate that a nursing home is covering up neglect or abuse?
Red flags include inconsistent explanations from staff, missing or altered records, sudden restrictions on visitation, or pressure from the facility to avoid filing complaints.
How Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers Helps Families Hold Facilities Accountable
Nursing home abuse and neglect cases require an intense investigation and a clear understanding of state elder care laws. Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help families across South Carolina when nursing homes fail to protect vulnerable residents.
Many families are unsure how to report problems or gather facts. We explain each step and help you understand what to expect. Families trust us because we treat their concerns with respect.
If your loved one has suffered unexplained injuries, pressure sores, repeated falls, or sudden changes in health, contact our team. We offer a free consultation and will explain your legal options. Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers is ready to help your family hold negligent facilities accountable and protect your loved one from future harm.
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