When you place a loved one in a nursing home, you expect professional care and dignity. The reality is that some facilities fail to meet these basic standards. South Carolina families trust these institutions with their most vulnerable members, and when that trust is broken, the impact can devastate entire families.
Nursing home abuse and neglect affect thousands of residents across the state each year. Many cases go unreported because family members either do not recognize the warning signs or feel uncertain about what steps to take next. At Briggs Law Group, our Charleston nursing home abuse lawyers work with Charleston families who face these difficult situations. Every case we handle reminds us how critical it is to act quickly when something seems wrong.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
The first step in protecting your loved one involves knowing what to look for during visits. Physical indicators often appear before other signs become obvious. Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns should raise immediate concerns. Weight loss or dehydration might signal that staff members are not providing adequate nutrition and hydration. Bedsores indicate prolonged periods without proper repositioning or care.
Behavioral changes can be equally telling. A normally social resident who becomes withdrawn or fearful may be experiencing mistreatment. Sudden anxiety around certain staff members or reluctance to discuss daily activities deserves attention. Some residents become unusually quiet or refuse to answer questions when caregivers are present.
Environmental factors also provide clues about the quality of care. Watch for these conditions during your visits:
- Soiled bedding or clothing that remains unchanged for extended periods
- Unpleasant odors throughout the facility or in your loved one’s room
- Inadequate staffing levels, with call buttons going unanswered for long periods
- Unsanitary conditions in common areas, dining rooms, or bathrooms
What to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect
The moment you notice concerning signs, document everything you observe. Take photographs of any visible injuries, unsanitary conditions, or environmental hazards. Write down dates, times, and descriptions of incidents. Note the names of staff members on duty when problems occur. This documentation becomes essential evidence if you need to pursue legal action or file formal complaints.
Speak directly with your loved one in a private setting. Ask open-ended questions about their daily routine and how staff members treat them. Listen carefully to their responses and watch for non-verbal cues. Some residents fear retaliation and may hesitate to speak honestly when staff members might overhear the conversation.
Request an immediate meeting with facility administrators. Present your concerns clearly and ask for specific explanations. Professional administrators should take complaints seriously and outline corrective actions. If they dismiss your concerns or provide vague responses, this reaction itself becomes a red flag.
How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Charleston
South Carolina law provides multiple channels for reporting nursing home abuse and neglect. The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) operates a complaint system for long-term care facilities. You can file reports online, by phone, or through written correspondence. DHEC investigators have the authority to conduct unannounced inspections and review facility records.
Contact Adult Protective Services if you believe your loved one faces immediate danger. This agency investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. They can intervene quickly when situations require urgent action. In life-threatening emergencies, call 911 first before contacting other agencies.
Some of the reporting options include:
- The South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents and investigates complaints
- The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office handles cases involving financial exploitation and fraud
- Medicare or Medicaid fraud hotlines address billing irregularities and theft of benefits
- Professional licensing boards can investigate and discipline individual healthcare workers who commit abuse
Law enforcement involvement becomes necessary when abuse rises to the level of criminal conduct. Physical assault, sexual abuse, or theft from residents are criminal matters. Local police departments and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office investigate these cases and can press charges against perpetrators.
Legal Rights Under South Carolina Law
The South Carolina Omnibus Adult Protection Act provides legal protections for nursing home residents. This statute establishes standards of care and creates penalties for facilities that violate resident rights. It specifically addresses protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Facilities must develop care plans that address individual needs and maintain adequate staffing levels to implement those plans.
South Carolina law also establishes mandatory reporting requirements. Healthcare workers, social workers, and other professionals who suspect abuse must report it to authorities. Failure to report constitutes a misdemeanor under state law.
Taking Legal Action Through a Personal Injury Claim
When nursing home neglect causes serious harm, victims may pursue civil lawsuits against responsible parties. These cases fall under premises liability and negligence law.
Victims and their families can seek various forms of compensation through legal action. These damages typically include:
- Medical expenses for treating injuries caused by abuse or neglect
- Costs for relocating to a safer facility with proper care standards
- Pain and suffering endured during the period of mistreatment
- Emotional distress experienced by both the victim and family members
- Punitive damages when the facility’s conduct shows willful disregard for resident safety
South Carolina law allows families to hold facilities accountable even when corporate entities own multiple locations. Corporate negligence claims can address systemic problems like understaffing or inadequate training programs. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in South Carolina is generally three years from the date of injury. However, some exceptions apply in cases involving ongoing abuse or when victims lack the mental capacity to file claims independently.
Areas We Serve in Charleston County
Briggs Law Group represents families throughout the Charleston metropolitan area. Our practice extends to residents in these zip codes: 29401, 29403, 29405, 29407, 29409, 29412, 29414, 29418, 29455, 29464, 29466, 29485, 29492. We also serve families in Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville, James Island, West Ashley, and surrounding communities in the Lowcountry region.
Contact Us Today
Suspecting that your loved one suffers from abuse or neglect creates an emotionally overwhelming situation. The steps outlined here provide a clear path forward during a difficult time. At Briggs Law Group, we stand ready to help Charleston families address these serious concerns and pursue justice for victims of nursing home abuse. Get in touch with us today to get legal help.