Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Myrtle Beach
If your loved one suffered injuries from abuse or negligence while living in a nursing home or another long-term care facility in Myrtle Beach, our team can recover compensation on their behalf.
A Myrtle Beach nursing home abuse attorney from Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers can assess your options for free today. We're prepared to represent your family's interests during this challenging time.
We provide free case reviews to families who wonder if they have a case against their loved one's nursing home. Our lawyers can start advocating for you today.
Our Myrtle Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Know the Signs of Abuse
Nursing home abuse occurs in several ways. Some are more difficult to identify than others, but all can cause significant harm-either physical, psychological, or financial-to a senior who requires ongoing care and support from facility staff.
We advocate for injured claimants after they've endured:
Neglect
Every nursing home resident deserves a safe environment where they can thrive. Yet, many seniors in care facilities don't get the care they need. This constitutes neglect and nursing home negligence. We can recognize the signs of abuse and take legal action against the liable party. Signs of neglect include malnutrition, unsanitary living conditions, and hair loss.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse may occur because of staff, volunteers, guests, or other residents. The abuser may be guilty of a criminal offense, but the nursing home administration is also liable for failing to prevent the abuse in a civil case. Common nursing home injuries of physical abuse include bruises, cuts, and fear around a certain caregiver.
Psychological Abuse
When someone threatens, humiliates, or otherwise says inappropriate things to a nursing home resident, this is emotional abuse. Also known as psychological abuse, this can cause fear, embarrassment, and worry. Treatment may require therapy or other support from professionals.
Sexual Abuse
Unfortunately, some sexual predators target nursing home residents. This may especially affect those with dementia and other conditions that prevent them from reporting the abuse. Sexual abuse can include assault, rape, and exposure, among other inappropriate actions. In some cases, it may cause physical injuries that require medical attention.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse of a nursing home resident occurs any time someone gains access to their accounts, steals valuables, or charges for a service they do not need or do not receive.
If you believe your loved one faced abuse or neglect in their Myrtle Beach nursing home, our team can help. At Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers, we assess these cases for free. Our personal injury lawyers have helped clients in Myrtle Beach with cases for nearly a decade. We approach each case with compassion for our clients and aggressive action against those responsible for their injuries.
We Strive to Make Legal Help Accessible to Nursing Home Abuse Claimants
You can expect knowledgeable and experienced advocacy when you work with our team. We believe our clients' success is our success. To this end, we offer free initial consultations and work based on contingency fees. We never charge our clients anything up front; we only ask them to pay attorney's fees if we win the case. All attorney's fees come from the money we recover in your case, never out of your pocket.
We Advocate for Claimants Who Have Suffered These Conditions in SC
The injuries your loved one suffered due to neglect or abuse can vary widely. The type of abuse, the details of what happened, and other factors will determine their injuries' severity. We help our clients document these injuries when we handle their claims or lawsuits.
We're ready to spring into action if your loved one suffered:
- A worsening medical condition because of missed medication doses
- Pressure sores from neglect
- Fall injuries from trying to get up on their own
- Bruises, lacerations, and fractures from falls or physical abuse
- Bruising and other injuries from sexual abuse
- Complications related to receiving unnecessary medication to sedate them
- Injuries from unnecessary restraints
You may notice other signs of abuse and neglect not listed here. If so, we encourage you to consider your legal options today.
Compensable Losses in a Nursing Home Abuse Case in Myrtle Beach
Damages recoverable in a nursing home abuse case will depend on its specific circumstances. There is no way to predict how much a case may be worth ahead of time. Instead, our attorneys investigate what happened and document your expenses and losses.
Some types of recoverable damages could include:
- Medical care costs
- Expenses related to ongoing or future care and support
- Relocation costs
- Property damage and financial losses
- Miscellaneous expenses, with receipts
- Pain and suffering and other non-economic losses
We may pursue other losses than those listed above. We hope to recover a settlement or court award that accounts for each aspect of your loved one's hardships.
We Advocate for Wrongful Death Claimants in Myrtle Beach
In some cases, a senior's injuries are severe enough to lead to their passing. We extend our deepest condolences if you lost a loved one.
South Carolina law may allow your family to recover the expenses associated with their passing, such as:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical care expenses
- Your family's intangible losses
Our team of lawyers can help you pursue a wrongful death case against a liable party or the facility where your loved one passed away. We provide free initial consultations in Myrtle Beach and other areas of South Carolina.
Our Myrtle Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Can Build a Strong Case
Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers believes no one should have to endure neglect or abuse while living in a long-term care facility. We represent families and fight to help seniors get financial justice. We know how to build these cases and hold the at-fault parties responsible.
We Can Determine Liability for Your Loved One's Hardships
When abuse or neglect occurs in a Myrtle Beach nursing home, the administrators are generally liable. They may be the owners or operators. While they may not be the ones intentionally perpetrating abuse, they are responsible for hiring and retaining staff, providing a facility where residents are safe, and addressing employees' wrongful conduct.
Our Lawyers Use Evidence to Prove Your Case's Required Elements
When we build a case showing abuse or neglect occurred, we need to prove these elements:
- The facility had a duty to keep the victim safe.
- Your loved one experienced abuse or neglect.
- They suffered injuries as a result.
- You have damages stemming from their maltreatment.
We investigate these incidents to determine what happened, each party's role, and other case-related facts. The evidence can vary widely in these cases.
Supporting information could include:
- Eyewitness statements
- The nursing facilities patient care report
- Relevant medical records
- Reports created by staff regarding injuries and incidents
- Expert testimony
- Documentation of damages (such as receipts and bills)
These incidents are sometimes challenging to document because the resident may not be able to communicate their experience or report the abuse due to cognitive impairments. Our team knows how to uncover compelling evidence and use it to support your claim.
We want to help you get justice for your loved one. We believe there is no excuse for neglect or abuse in a Myrtle Beach nursing home. We pursue compensation and hold facility owners and administrators legally responsible in these cases. We can review your case's facts with you today for free. We're ready to break ground on your case as soon as possible.
We Navigate the Claims Process After Myrtle Beach Nursing Home Abuse
Our nursing home abuse attorneys at Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers handle these cases from start to finish. If your loved one is in immediate, life-threatening danger, dial 911. If not, give us a call. We can help you report the maltreatment and move to protect your loved one from further harm. This includes building a case against the facility, as well as its owners and operators. We want to recover compensation for your loved one's injuries and other related losses.
What Our Firm Does With the Evidence We Find
After we investigate what happened and gather strong evidence to support your claim, our attorneys calculate a fair settlement value for your case. We use our findings to determine what constitutes a fair settlement. Next, we send a demand letter that outlines the case and how much we expect the nursing home's administrators (or their insurers) to pay our client.
This could lead to:
- Negotiations
- A settlement agreement
- Mediation
- Arbitration
- A trial
Under some circumstances, we may recommend suing the liable party or parties before we file a claim. We may take other steps instead of demanding compensation through this route. Our plan of action depends on your case's details. This depends on the unique facts of the case. We may discuss your legal options during your initial case review or in subsequent meetings after our investigation.
Many times, a demand letter leads to negotiations and a settlement. When this occurs, the liable parties will ask your loved one or their power of attorney to sign a liability release. We can go over this agreement with your family before signing it. This is the last step before receiving payment for your losses.
Suing the Liable Parties After Nursing Home Abuse in Myrtle Beach
Some nursing home abuse and neglect cases require us to sue the liable parties, generally the owners and operators of the facility.
This could occur if:
- The liable parties will not acknowledge the abuse.
- Their representatives will not negotiate fairly.
- We are running out of time to sue.
- Punitive damages may be possible.
- There are other circumstances that our attorneys believe would be best addressed through a lawsuit.
We Must File Your Lawsuit Within the Statute of Limitations
In general, South Carolina law usually gives us three years to sue on behalf of an injured client. We can help your family understand what this filing deadline means for your case. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to hold the responsible parties legally liable.
We Can Manage Your Lawsuit's Obligations
The statute of limitations in these cases applies to filing the initial paperwork to begin a lawsuit. Our team guides clients through this process and all necessary proceedings after their case begins. When you work with us, we handle all aspects of your loved one's case against the nursing home and those that run it.
This includes:
- Discovery, when we share evidence and build a strong case for trial
- Pre-trial motions, when each side asks for things it needs from the judge
- Ongoing negotiations
- Mediation or arbitration, required by some courts and contracts
- Trial, when a jury listens to your case and makes a verdict
When our team handles a nursing home abuse case, our focus is on getting justice. We want to hold the at-fault parties that allowed your loved one to suffer harm accountable. We can fight for the money damages your family needs and deserves to pay bills, ensure your loved one is in a safe home, and cover their non-economic losses.
Nursing Home Abuse Frequently Asked Questions
How can I protect a loved one against nursing home abuse?
If you are looking for a nursing home or have a loved one who is already at a nursing home, you can do a few things to help prevent abuse in the first place:
- Do your research. Find a facility with a clean record that you feel comfortable with.
- Stay in close contact with your loved one.
- Make frequent and unexpected visits to the facility, so you can see how conditions truly are.
- Encourage open communication with your loved one.
- Keep your eyes and ears open at all times.
- Do not hesitate to investigate or report suspicious behavior.
What are some potential signs of abuse or neglect?
While every case is different, there are some indications that abuse or neglect may be occurring at a nursing home or assisted living facility:
- Unexplained or frequent injuries
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Withdrawal, depression, or anxiety
- Displaying fear of certain nursing home staff
- Bed sores or pressure ulcers
- Frequent illness and hospitalization
- Weight loss or signs of dehydration
- Wandering or elopement
How should I report elder abuse?
If you suspect that your loved one is in imminent danger, call 911. For non-emergency scenarios, you can contact Adult Protective Services in South Carolina.
What can an attorney do to help me?
If a loved one has suffered harm as a result of elder abuse or neglect, you may be able to hold the at-fault party accountable in civil court. You can pursue financial compensation for medical bills, emotional trauma, and other losses or injuries. An attorney with experience in these matters can ensure your rights are protected and that your claim goes through the appropriate channels. Instead of getting the run around by the nursing home or having your claim denied, you can see results.
What is my case worth?
Every case is different, but the value of a nursing home abuse claim will depend largely on the impact the injuries have had on the victim and his or her family. This may include the cost of medical treatment, medication, ongoing care, and also the extent of emotional trauma such as pain and suffering. Our personal injury attorneys can accurately assess the value of your claim to help you pursue fair compensation.
Will I have to go to court?
Most of these claims are settled out of court. Whether your case goes to trial will depend on whether the at-fault facility or caregiver is willing to reach a fair settlement. As always, we will take the approach that is most likely to yield the best result - based on your unique needs and concerns.
Nursing home abuse should never be tolerated. Watch and listen so you can identify potential abuse. At Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers, we have the resources and skills to face off against abusive caregivers and the facilities that hire them. We are here to stop abuse in its tracks. Put our personal injury attorneys on your side and demand justice.
Get Help From Our Myrtle Beach Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Speak with a team member from Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers about your loved one's Myrtle Beach nursing home abuse injuries for free today. Our team provides complimentary consultations for those whose loved ones experienced this kind of pain and trauma in a long-term living facility. We know you trusted the nursing home staff and administration to care for your loved one.
Now that you are aware of their failure to provide a safe place to live and protect their residents, you deserve to get justice by holding them legally responsible. Our team is here to help. We believe no senior should have to live through abuse or neglect. Let us represent you in your claim. Call (843) 232-0944 or contact us online to get started with our personal injury lawyers. There is no obligation when you connect with us.
