Examples of Neglect in South Carolina Nursing Homes

If your loved one is currently living in a nursing home, you may be worried about how they’re being treated. Concerns about nursing home neglect are at an all-time high, especially after an extremely controversial couple of years during the pandemic. Serious issues have been highlighted in nursing homes across the nation, and South Carolina is certainly no exception. But what actually “counts” as nursing home neglect in South Carolina? When can you sue? Let’s find out:

Failing to Move Bedridden Seniors

Perhaps the most obvious and common example of nursing home neglect is the failure to move bedridden seniors.

When seniors are unable to get out of bed, they must be physically moved regularly.

This is a very basic form of care, and it simply involves readjusting the senior within their bed. If nursing home staff fails to do this, the senior can easily develop bedsores. These painful and dangerous sores can become infected, causing serious health issues. In some cases, bedsores can even lead to fatal infections.

Failing to Provide Medication

Many seniors rely on very specific types of medication to live comfortable and healthy lives in nursing homes.

If staff members forget to provide this medication on a regular basis, seniors can develop serious health issues.

In some cases, seniors rely on this medication to survive. Related issues include providing too much medication, administering the wrong type of medication, or mixing two drugs together to create harmful side effects.

Lack of Basic Hygiene

Nursing home staff are also legally required to provide seniors with a certain degree of basic hygiene. This includes providing them with clean laundry, cleaning their clothes, and cleaning their bodies regularly. There is a wide range of other examples that fall into this category. This is important for a number of reasons.

Basic hygiene helps avoid issues like infection and the spread of viruses.

In addition, the lack of basic hygiene can lead to depression, low self-esteem, and other psychological issues that no senior should have to endure.

Not Calling Doctors

Some nursing staff are specially trained to deal with medical issues. For example, these facilities typically have registered nurses available to assist with basic health needs.

If a senior’s health issues become too serious, staff must get help from a doctor.

In some cases, they may also need to transport the senior to a hospital for emergency care. If staff members are aware of serious health issues and yet do nothing to provide seniors with the care they need, this is an example of serious neglect.

Where Can I Find a Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer in South Carolina?

If you’ve been searching for a lawyer who can help you file a nursing home neglect lawsuit in South Carolina, look no further than McDougall Law Firm, LLC. We know how serious these issues can be, and we’re ready to guide your family toward justice and compensation. Nursing homes in South Carolina must be held accountable for their negligence, and you can play a role in making this industry safer for everyone. Book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan.

Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK98786/

McDougall Law Firm, LLC

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Beaufort, SC 29907
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