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Experienced Attorneys Serving Victims of Nursing Home Negligence and Their Families in Greenville, South Carolina

Nursing home abuse is a tragic reality for many elderly residents in and their families in Greenville, South Carolina. When a loved one is placed in a nursing home, they have the right to expect quality care and to be treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, some nursing homes fail to provide adequate care, leading to neglect, abuse, and even wrongful death. It is crucial to seek the help of an experienced Greenville nursing home abuse attorney who can protect your rights and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Hammack Law Firm fights for the rights of nursing home residents who have suffered abuse or neglect in Greenville, South Carolina. Our experienced attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that nursing home abuse can take on victims and their families. If someone you love has suffered abuse while living in a nursing home facility, they may be able to claim compensation, and they need justice. We are here to help.

Nursing home abuse and neglect can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect of basic needs. Bedsores, malnutrition, and slip and fall accidents are common nursing home neglect scenarios. Hammack Law Firm has the knowledge and resources to investigate and pursue claims involving all types of nursing home abuse and neglect. The firm’s attorneys work closely with clients to understand their unique circumstances and develop a tailored legal strategy to pursue the claim in a timely manner ahead of the statute of limitations.

If you suspect that a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in Greenville, South Carolina, contact the nursing home abuse attorneys of Hammack Law Firm at (864) 326-3333 for a free case evaluation. We will listen to your concerns, explain your legal options, and fight tirelessly to protect your loved one’s rights and seek the compensation they need. We have built our reputation on helping people just like you.

Key Takeaways

  • Hammack Law Firm fights for the rights of nursing home abuse and neglect victims in Greenville, South Carolina
  • Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and neglect of basic needs
  • If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, contact Hammack Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your legal options
  • Victims of nursing home negligence may be able to pursue economic, non-economic, punitive, and wrongful death damages under South Carolina law, as applicable to a given case
  • Hammack Law Firm’s experienced attorneys work tirelessly to hold negligent nursing homes accountable and seek justice for their clients

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

There are several classifications of nursing home abuse. While many people tend to think of abuse as a purely physical act, that is far from the case. The elderly are a very vulnerable demographic in our society, and people may try to take advantage of them.

A nursing home setting may provide predators with the perfect opportunity to exploit what they see as physical or mental weaknesses for their own benefit. That could mean a physical outlet for their anger or frustrations, or it could mean an easy target to take advantage of financially. Unfortunately, in many cases, an elderly resident may be on the receiving end of several different types of abuse. Here are some common forms of nursing home abuse:

  • Physical Abuse: Physical abuse is the act of laying hands on an individual and causing them bodily harm. It is any type of violent act perpetrated on an elderly resident or vulnerable adult.
  • Emotional Abuse: A caregiver in a nursing home setting can abuse residents emotionally by using verbal abuse such as threats, intimidation, insults, and humiliation tactics. Behaviors like these are abusive and completely unnecessary and inappropriate. This type of psychological abuse can cause significant problems and be extremely dangerous, perhaps leading to ongoing psychological trauma or mental health concerns.
  • Sexual Abuse: Elderly nursing home residents can be at risk for sexual abuse, a severely underreported problem. This includes any type of unwanted touching, fondling, intercourse, or other sexual activity, including taking nude or indecent photographs. While some residents still have the ability to say no, others with cognitive or physical limitations are not able to refuse consent. This is still sexual abuse, no matter what a caregiver insists.
  • Financial Abuse: Some caregivers take advantage of elderly residents financially. This type of abuse can include theft of personal property or heirlooms, identity theft, scam investments, or gaining access to a credit card or personal accounts in the name of a patient at a bank or other financial institution through coercion or forgery. Our attorneys can investigate and seek evidence of legal liability if you suspect your loved one is the victim of identity theft or theft using a bank account or credit card belonging to a resident.
  • Neglect: Abuse also includes a lack of care in the form of neglect. For example, a caregiver may accidentally or willfully ignore or refuse to acknowledge the needs of an elderly resident. This can manifest potentially fatal conditions like pneumonia,  bed sores, or malnutrition — or slip and fall accidents that can also be fatal or lead to Traumatic Brain Injury or Spinal Cord Injury.

These types of behaviors on their own or in combination with others in a nursing or assisted living facility are nursing home abuse. Abuse is a serious breach of care and can carry criminal and civil penalties. Reaching out to an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Greenville is the right course of action for you and your family if you suspect abuse or neglect. Our team at Hammack Law Office can help you identify the signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse. Without someone intervening, abuse will continue to occur, not only to your family member, but possibly to others as well.

Examples of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse

Nursing home residents are entitled to a safe, clean, and caring environment where their basic needs are met and their health and well-being are prioritized. Unfortunately, far too many nursing homes in Upstate South Carolina fail to provide this level of care, putting residents at risk of serious harm.

Nursing home abuse and neglect can take many forms, including:

Type of Abuse Examples
Physical Abuse Hitting, pushing, restraining
Emotional Abuse Yelling, threatening, isolating
Sexual Abuse Unwanted touching, sexual assault
Financial Exploitation Stealing money, forging checks
Neglect Failing to provide food, water, medical care

 

If you suspect that a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in Greenville, South Carolina, contact Hammack Law Firm for a free consultation. The firm’s compassionate attorneys will listen to your concerns, explain your legal options, and fight to protect your loved one’s rights while seeking the compensation they need.

Neglect of Basic Needs

Nursing home residents rely on staff to provide for their basic needs, including food, water, shelter, sanitation, and medical care. When nursing homes fail to meet these essential needs, residents can suffer serious harm, including malnutrition, dehydration, infections, and worsening of medical conditions.

Neglect of Medical and Personal Hygiene

Nursing home residents require regular medical attention and assistance with personal hygiene tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and toileting. Some residents require regular medication, and failure to provide this can lead to deadly consequences. When nursing homes fail to provide adequate medical care or do not help with personal hygiene, residents can develop serious health problems, such as bed sores, infections, and other complications.

Common signs of neglect of medical and personal hygiene include:

  • Bedsores or pressure ulcers
  • Infections
  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Unclean or unkempt appearance
  • Soiled bedding or clothing

Wrongful Death Due To Nursing Home Negligence

In many tragic cases, nursing home negligence can lead to the wrongful death of a resident. When a nursing home fails to provide adequate care and supervision, leading to a resident’s preventable death, the facility may be liable for wrongful death damages.

Nursing Home Abuse Is More Common than Many Think

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are supposed to fill a void of care. When it’s not safe for our loved ones to stay at home because of their health or medical conditions, these facilities are the places of comfort and compassion that we turn to. However, not all facilities live up to the expected standard of care.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2023, approximately 16.7 percent of people over the age of 60 suffered from some form of abuse or neglect in a nursing home facility. However, even they admit those statistics are likely a gross underestimation since only about 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse are ever reported.

Our Attorneys Seek Justice for Nursing Home Abuse in Greenville

The Greenville injury lawyers of Hammack Law Firm take nursing home abuse cases very seriously. At the end of the day, all nursing homes have a duty of care. It is their responsibility to ensure the health and safety of everyone under their roof. Neglecting that duty makes them responsible for the consequences of those actions or inactions.

Our team sees how this abuse affects victims and their families physically, financially, and emotionally. We recognize the psychological trauma and the effects that reverberate when an elderly person suffers nursing home neglect or abuse. To protect our community, we go after those responsible for nursing home abuse in civil court. Along the way, our attorneys offer many services to bring clients peace of mind and confidence in their cases. For example, we will:

  • Provide a free and confidential consultation, during which you can discuss the abuse and review your legal options
  • Investigate the nursing home for signs of negligence
  • Identify potential liable parties, such as staff, volunteers, visitors, or other nursing home residents
  • Collect evidence to support a case for personal injury or wrongful death damages
  • Account for all the damages your family experienced, including pain and suffering, to assign case value
  • Communicate and advocate for you in case proceedings, which includes negotiating settlement offers
  • File a nursing home abuse lawsuit before the state’s deadline expires
  • Take the case to court when necessary

You are not facing these circumstances alone — our team is here to offer valuable resources and support.

What Is the Definition of Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse isn’t limited to just one specific type of action. Abuse can encompass many different factors. The Nursing Home Abuse Center defines nursing home abuse in generic terms. In general, it is seen as any type of intentional harm that comes to an elderly resident in a nursing home.

Other forms of nursing home neglect that are not intentional involve acident scenarios due to carelessness. While nursing home abuse might be more egregious and even involve criminal abuse of residents, both nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect can qualify for a personal injury claim to seek compensation for injuries and losses. In some cases these may involve punitive damages.

Abuse isn’t only a physical or violent act — abuse can take a number of different forms, but the one thing that all abuse has in common is the physical and emotional scars that it can leave on our family members. If you or a family member may have a nursing home abuse claim, complete a Free Case Evaluation form now.

Recognizing Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Understanding the different forms of abuse means you can begin to better recognize the warning signs of abuse. The warning signs of abuse, especially emotional abuse, can be very subtle and hard to detect. In elderly residents with cognitive conditions, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, they may not be able to communicate clearly to you that something is wrong. That’s why it is imperative for you to be able to detect the symptoms and trust your gut.

Even family members who can communicate may not feel comfortable letting you know that abuse is taking place. Why? There are several factors that may make a close family member afraid to come forward with claims of abuse, which might include:

  • Fear of repercussions and retaliation from the abusive caregiver
  • Feeling guilt or shame for being in the position of a victim
  • Not wanting to burden their family members with the painful knowledge that something is wrong

You can help prevent your loved one from being one of the unseen, unheard victims of abuse.

Possible Signs of Nursing Home Abuse to Look Out For

Hammack Law Firm encourages families to be vigilant for signs of nursing home neglect in Greenville and throughout Upstate South Carolina. Some common indicators include unexplained weight loss, dehydration, poor hygiene, and the development of bed sores. If a loved one exhibits sudden changes in mood or behavior, it may also point to underlying neglect or abuse.

Family members should trust their instincts if something seems amiss with their loved one’s care. Hammack Law Firm encourages families to visit frequently, ask questions, and voice any concerns they may have. Documenting any signs of neglect can be crucial evidence in a legal case.

These are some of the more common warning signs of nursing home abuse to watch out for:

  • Unexplained broken bones, cuts, or bruises
  • Burns
  • Marks or bruises on or near the genitals
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Withdrawal from favorite activities or pastimes
  • Withdrawal from family or friends
  • Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
  • Lack of eye contact
  • Refusing to cooperate with certain staff or caregivers
  • Sudden changes in weight or appearance
  • Dehydration
  • Malnourishment
  • Change in a financial situation
  • Frequent infections or illnesses
  • Poor hygiene
  • Unchanged or dirty clothes, linens, or bandages

If you suspect that a loved one is suffering from nursing home neglect in Greenville, South Carolina, contact Hammack Law Firm for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys will listen to your concerns, investigate the situation, and fight to protect your loved one’s rights and well-being.

How Are Nursing Homes Responsible for Abuse?

Every case of abuse is unique and has its own set of special circumstances. The one thing that all abuse cases have in common is that the victim is never at fault. There is no excuse for abusing an elderly resident in a nursing home setting. None.

While it is common for caregivers and nursing home staff to be responsible for abuse against an vulnerable adult, there are a number of ways that nursing home management and administration may be responsible for contributing to, condoning, or ignoring that type of inappropriate behavior. These are some of the factors that can contribute or lead to abusive situations in nursing homes and long-term care facilities:

  • Understaffing: Understaffing a nursing home facility puts an emotional and physical strain on staff and resources at a facility. This can lead to staff members resorting to different forms of abuse as frustration mounts. It can also lead to cases of neglect and accident scenarios as busy and short-staffed caregivers try to juggle elderly care for too many patients. Some residents may fall through the cracks and not be provided adequate care and attention.
  • Poor or inadequate staff training: It is beholden to the nursing home to ensure that all staff members have the proper education and training before being hired as caregivers. The nursing home is also responsible for making sure staff are properly trained in correct nursing home procedures, following guidelines, and having proper supervision.
  • Poor administrative practices: The majority of nursing homes and long-term care facilities are for-profit businesses. They are in the business of making money. There are some facilities that may prize material wealth and profits over the health and safety of their residents. This can mean there is a mismanagement of resources and chronic understaffing in an effort to maximize profit margins.

It can also lead to problems with low wages for staff and caregivers. Low wages paired with a high volume of work can make staff resentful and uncaring about their job duties. This can set the stage for dangerous accident situations. In severe cases, poor administrative practices may also mean that abuse claims are swept under the rug, overlooked, and simply ignored to maintain status and credibility — and to avoid government fines and lawsuits.

Nursing Home Abuse Statistics Nationwide, in South Carolina, and in Greenville

Nursing home abuse and neglect are pervasive problems in the United States, affecting countless vulnerable residents each year. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and older have experienced some form of elder abuse, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect.

In South Carolina, the problem of nursing home abuse and neglect is particularly acute. A recent study by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control found that nearly 30% of the state’s nursing homes had been cited for serious deficiencies that put residents at risk of harm.

In Greenville, the statistics are equally alarming:

Statistic Percentage
Nursing homes cited for deficiencies 45%
Nursing homes with severe deficiencies 15%
Nursing home residents who reported abuse or neglect 25%

 

These statistics underscore the urgent need for strong legal advocacy on behalf of nursing home residents and their families in Greenville and throughout South Carolina. Hammack Law Firm is committed to holding negligent nursing homes accountable and seeking justice for victims of abuse and neglect.

Types of Compensation That May Be Available for Victims of Nursing Home Negligence in Greenville, South Carolina.

Your family could seek compensation for many types of damages under South Carolina law, depending on the form of abuse your loved one experienced. Our team will review these losses and expenses with you and calculate an accurate value in order to ensure you seek fair compensation. In nursing home abuse cases, some possible recoverable damages may include:

  • Medical treatment for your loved one’s injuries, from the time when they occurred through their recovery
  • Loss of income
  • Pain and suffering your loved one experienced during and after the abuse
  • Funeral and burial expenses, if your loved one passed away from their injuries
  • Loss of companionship for surviving family members

The amount of compensation available varies from case to case, so our team will take care to identify the specific damages this abuse caused your family. Hammack Law Firm’s experienced attorneys can help clients pursue the full range of damages in their case, potentially including economic, non-economic, punitive, and wrongful death damages.

The specific types of compensation that may be available will depend on the unique circumstances of each case.

Economic Damages

Economic damages in nursing home abuse cases may include medical expenses related to treating injuries or illnesses caused by the negligence. These damages can also encompass the cost of transferring the resident to a new facility and other straightforward financial losses due to the abuse or neglect.

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages in nursing home abuse cases can include compensation for the victim’s physical pain, emotional suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the negligence. Poor elderly care or psychological abuse can lead to trauma and fear that stay with the resident. These intangible losses are often the devastating consequences of nursing home abuse and neglect.

Non-economic damages may encompass:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of companionship (for wrongful death cases)

Punitive Damages

In cases of egregious nursing home abuse or neglect, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the defendant and deter future misconduct. These damages are intended to send a strong message that such reprehensible behavior will not be tolerated in our society.

Wrongful Death Damages

If nursing home negligence leads to a resident’s wrongful death, the victim’s family may be entitled to pursue compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of their loved one’s companionship and guidance through a wrongful death claim.

The types of wrongful death damages that may be available through a wrongful death claim in coordination with nursing home negligence cases might include:

Wrongful Death Damage Type Examples
Economic Damages Funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support
Non-economic Damages Loss of companionship, guidance, and support
Punitive Damages May be awarded in cases of egregious misconduct to punish & deter

Evaluating Your Nursing Home Negligence Case in Greenville, South Carolina

If you suspect that a loved one has suffered harm due to nursing home negligence in Greenville, South Carolina, Hammack Law Firm can help evaluate your case. Our experienced attorneys will carefully review the facts and circumstances surrounding your loved one’s injuries or illness to determine whether negligence on the part of elderly care service providers played a role in the injury. We will also assess the strength of your case to prove legal liability and guide you on the right course of action.

Hammack Law Firm’s attorneys have extensive experience handling nursing home negligence cases in Greenville and throughout Upstate South Carolina. We understand the complex legal and medical issues involved in these cases and know how to build strong, compelling claims on behalf of our clients. Our attorneys work closely with medical experts and investigators to gather evidence and demonstrate the full extent of the harm caused by the negligence.

If we determine that you have a viable nursing home negligence case, we will fight tirelessly to seek the compensation your loved one needs. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and trial lawyers who will advocate fiercely for your rights and interests. We will work to hold the negligent parties accountable and pursue a positive resolution for your case.

Proving Fault in a Nursing Home Negligence Case in South Carolina

To prove fault in a South Carolina nursing home negligence case, Hammack Law Firm’s attorneys must establish that the facility breached its duty of care to the resident. We gather evidence to show that the nursing home failed to provide the level of care and supervision required by law. This evidence may include medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony.

We also work to demonstrate causation of the resident’s injuries or illness in nursing home negligence cases. We must show that the facility’s breach of duty directly caused or contributed to the resident’s harm. Our attorneys consult with medical experts to establish the link between the negligence and the injuries suffered.

Demonstrating the extent of damages is another crucial aspect of proving a nursing home negligence case. Hammack Law Firm’s attorneys thoroughly document the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by the negligence to help clients seek full and fair compensation for their losses.

Why Contact Hammack Law Firm?

Abuse is never an easy subject to talk about. It can cause guilt, embarrassment, emotional pain, and trauma for the person suffering at the hands of an abuser. It is not always easy to break the cycle and seek help, especially when you know your daily care, food, and medication are all in the hands of your abuser.

Your loved one may be afraid to speak out, which is why it is so important for family members to recognize the warning signs. You can make a difference — and at Hammack Law Firm, we are here to help. Our team of seasoned attorneys has the knowledge to tackle the problem and the compassion to help you deal with this sensitive issue.

Our Representation Will Cost You Nothing Out of Pocket

We never want to contribute to our clients’ financial worries. That’s why Hammack Law Firm has a contingency fee policy for all personal injury cases. This type of payment structure means:

  • There is no upfront fee to start your case.
  • You owe nothing unless we win compensation for your damages.
  • We only take our fee as a percentage of a court award or settlement if and when we secure it for you.

We hope this fee arrangement makes hiring legal representation more accessible for residents of Greenville and throughout South Carolina.

Client Praise for Our Responsiveness and Professionalism

Many previous clients have left Google reviews highlighting the benefits of working with our personal injury attorneys:

  • “Whenever I called or texted, you would think I was their only client. They immediately answered and were always so professional, but yet made me feel like family.” – Jean Smith
  • “Lynn went above and beyond from start to finish and I can say now that we’re done with this process, I feel as if she’s a part of the family!!” – Telvin Dawkins
  • “Everyone at Hammack Law treats you like a FRIEND not just a client. Their negotiating skills are above and beyond. Definitely looking out for me.” – Steven Kramer

How an Experienced South Carolina Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse Attorney at Our Firm Can Help You

The experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at Hammack Law Firm in Greenville, South Carolina are dedicated to fighting for the rights of victims and their families. We understand the devastating impact of nursing home negligence and work tirelessly to hold facilities accountable for substandard care. With our extensive knowledge of South Carolina law and the complexities of these cases, we provide skilled legal guidance every step of the way.

Hammack Law Firm’s compassionate attorneys take the time to listen to clients’ concerns and thoroughly investigate claims of nursing home abuse or neglect. We gather crucial evidence, consult with medical experts, and build strong cases to demonstrate the harm caused by the negligence. Our lawyers are skilled negotiators and trial attorneys who fight aggressively to seek the maximum compensation under the law that their clients need.

By working with an experienced South Carolina nursing home negligence and abuse attorney at Hammack Law Firm, victims and their families can focus on healing while their legal rights are protected. Our firm manages all aspects of the case, from dealing with insurance companies to advocating in court, if necessary. With their commitment to personalized service and tireless advocacy, Hammack Law Firm’s attorneys strive to maximize compensation in positive resolutions for clients harmed by nursing home negligence in Greenville and throughout South Carolina.

Our Team Is Standing By 24/7 to Provide a Free Case Review — Schedule a Free Consultation with Hammack Law Firm to Discuss Your Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse Case and Plan Your Legal Strategy in Greenville, South Carolina

Don’t wait to seek legal guidance if you believe your loved one has been a victim of nursing home negligence or abuse in Greenville, South Carolina. After finding out about abuse your loved one suffered, you need sound legal advice. You need a solid case strategy to deal with the unique circumstances of your situation. You need to contact the team at Hammack Law Firm to make sure that your legal claim is as strong as it needs to be. Our lawyers can provide valuable resources and support for your case.

During your free consultation, Hammack Law Firm’s compassionate lawyers will take the time to understand the unique circumstances of your case. We will gather information about your loved one’s injuries or illness, the suspected abuse or neglect breaching the nursing home’s duty of care, and the impact on your family. This personalized approach allows us to provide an honest assessment of your case and craft a tailored, compelling case that seeks the maximum compensation you and your loved one need.

It takes strength and courage to bring abuse claims to light. We understand that and want to work hard to bring justice and appropriate compensation to you and your family. Take the first step toward protecting your loved one’s rights and well-being. Our dedicated attorneys are ready to fight for you and your family every step of the way. Contact us today by calling (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 to request a free consultation, or complete our Free Case Evaluation form, and we will respond to you shortly. We serve clients in Greenville from our office on West Stone Avenue.

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