The attorneys of Joye Law Firm understand the heartbreak that families face when they learn that their loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home. We offer caring, respectful and compassionate legal guidance to victims and their families in Myrtle Beach, and we work hard to address all physical, emotional and financial harm they have suffered.
Our nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers bring nearly 250 years of combined legal experience to those we serve in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas in South Carolina. We help families to immediately protect loved ones who may be elderly or disabled and vulnerable to harm.
We also develop long-term legal strategies that pursue all relief that victims and their families are due. To learn more, call Joye Law Firm now or reach us through our online form. We can provide a free and confidential consultation about your case.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Myrtle Beach
If your loved one reports abuse or neglect to you, then you must take it seriously. You may want to start by asking the staff member or an administrator about it. If you do not like the response, you should contact Joye Law Firm right away. We can review the facts of your case and assess your rights and options.
Unfortunately, many victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in Myrtle Beach cannot communicate what has happened to them. They may be too afraid to report it, or due to their condition, they may be physically or mentally unable to do so.
As the family member of nursing home resident, you can help to protect your loved one. You can understand different types of nursing home abuse or neglect and watch for warning signs of abuse, or “red flags,” such as:
- Physical abuse – Unexplained injuries may appear such as bruises, welts, cuts, burns, sprains or fractures. Marks around the wrists and ankles could indicate the use of restraints. If your loved one becomes anxious or agitated around a staff member, it may be a sign of physical abuse as well.
- Emotional abuse – Sudden changes in behavior may arise such as your loved one becoming depressed, anxious or withdrawn. Your loved one may stop engaging in normal activities and cease to communicate or respond to you and others. Look for your loved one’s response to certain staff members.
- Sexual abuse – Your loved one may suffer bruises around the breasts or genitals, vaginal or anal bleeding or an unexplained infection or venereal disease.
- Neglect – You should keep an eye on the state of your loved one’s personal hygiene and the maintenance of your loved one’s clothes and bedding. If your loved one suffered from dehydration, malnutrition or bed sores, it may indicate that the facility has failed to provide proper care.
- Financial exploitation – Any unexplained financial transactions, missing items (such as jewelry or keepsakes) or sudden changes in your loved one’s will or other financial documents may indicate financial exploitation.
Again, if you suspect that your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a Myrtle Beach nursing home, and you are not satisfied with the facility’s response to your concerns, you should not wait to seek legal help. Call Joye Law Firm today to discuss how we can help you.
If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse, What Should You Do?
When you and your family member chose a nursing home in the Myrtle Beach area, you probably never imagined that your loved one would one day suffer harm in the facility. For that reason, you may be unprepared for how to respond to the suspected mistreatment.
Generally speaking, you should take the following steps:
- If you suspect an immediate threat, call 911. For instance, you may fear that a staff member will physically or sexually abuse your loved one within the next 24 hours.
- Report your concerns to the facility. You should follow the nursing home’s reporting procedure (if available). The facility may conduct an internal investigation and remedy the problem. However, if you do not like any aspect of the response, you should take immediate action.
- Get help from an attorney. The sooner that you contact an attorney, the sooner you can protect your loved one and preserve your right you may have to be compensated for the harm your family has suffered.
- Report it to state officials. In South Carolina, you should also report suspected abuse or neglect in a nursing home to the state’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. You can call (800) 868-9095 to get information for a local ombudsman in the Myrtle Beach area. The ombudsman should promptly investigate your complaint.
How Can a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help You in Myrtle Beach
If you believe that your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a Myrtle Beach nursing home, contact Joye Law Firm immediately. We can help you to go through all of the above steps. We can also serve as a liaison between your family and any South Carolina law enforcement or health officials who investigate your love one’s case. We may engage partner firms to review your situation and ensure a robust investigation on your behalf.
Additionally, our attorneys can:
- Collect and analyze all evidence related to the abuse or neglect.
- Consult with highly knowledgeable nursing home care experts as we prepare your case.
- Pursue a full and fair settlement of any legal claim that you may have against the nursing home owner and/or operator and other parties.
- If necessary, pursue a judgment through trial.
Our law firm will work diligently to pursue damages that may include past and future medical expenses as well as compensation for the pain and suffering that your loved one has endured. Throughout your case, we will pay close attention to your loved one’s needs and your family’s goals.
Our Myrtle Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Can Help You
Since 1968, the attorneys of Joye Law Firm have protected the rights of personal injury victims and their families in South Carolina, including those harmed by abuse or neglect in nursing homes. Let us help you, too. Call or reach us online today for a free consultation through our Myrtle Beach office.
