Fighting Nursing Home Abuse
Serving Lexington, Camden, Columbia, Sumter, and Newberry, SC
Nursing home abuse is on the rise and threatens to get worse as our large population of elderly people becomes increasingly unable to care for themselves. As nursing home admissions increase and need exceeds available beds, the likelihood of poor staffing ratios and the potential for abuse increases accordingly. Some of the most common types of nursing home abuse include injuries such as bruises or bed sores, neglect, and punishing the resident for reporting abuse.
Obstacles to Reporting Abuse
Obstacles to reporting abuse include difficulty finding witnesses, difficulty verifying reports of abuses when the resident is declared "incompetent," suspecting that residents' records were altered "after the fact," and the threatening of a staff member's job security by his superiors if he reports negatively about the nursing home practices or working conditions. Most residents, being in a completely dependent position fear worse abuse if they speak up. Many have no family to leverage better treatment on their behalf.
Steps to Take When Abuse is Observed or Suspected
Report the problem to the nursing home administrator. If it has not been corrected or improved, you will need evidence of the problem, its severity, and how long it has existed, as well as any other pertinent facts. Document as much information as you can, including: dates, times and detailed descriptions of abusive events; who was responsible for the resident's care during the times that abuse occurred; evidence of similar abuses involving other residents; any threats suggesting the resident will be asked to leave and find placement in another home; or any facts that may prove helpful in defense of this resident's rights.
Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is a person who advocates for residents and other dependent adults. The Ombudsman's contact information should be clearly displayed where you can see it. The Ombudsman is in a position to help resolve your problem and protect the resident from retaliation, further abuse, or displacement. This county official is also poised to gather information necessary to help file a report with the state health department.
If necessary, you can file a complaint directly with the state health department, but it is often difficult to find the proper office to file your complaint. The health department is obligated to investigate all complaints, and if they find evidence of abuse, they are authorized to impose citations and fines.
If someone in your family has been a victim of nursing home abuse, contact an experienced nursing home abuse attorney at McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, P.A. today for an initial consultation. Our offices are located throughout South Carolina in Aiken, Camden, Columbia, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Sumter.
With offices in Aiken, Camden, Columbia, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Sumter, South Carolina, our personal injury lawyers are ready to serve you. Call us today at 1-800-694-0994.
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