elder woman in nursing home

Discovering that a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a Charleston nursing home is heartbreaking. Families trust these facilities to provide safe and compassionate care. Yet some facilities betray that trust, leaving residents injured or worse. If your family has experienced this painful reality, you deserve answers and the opportunity to hold the responsible parties accountable. You need an experienced Charleston nursing home abuse lawyer, and Joye Law Firm can help.

We stand with families who have suffered harm from negligent nursing homes. Our personal injury lawyers in Charleston are dedicated to fighting for justice. We work hard to ensure that victims and their families receive the compensation they need for medical care, relocation costs, and the pain they’ve endured.

If someone dear to you has been mistreated in an assisted living facility, reach out now for a free consultation to learn how we can help you receive the compensation you need to move forward.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home abuse often goes unnoticed until it results in devastating injuries or tragically, a resident’s untimely death. Staff members might cover up incidents, and vulnerable residents may be unable, too afraid, or ashamed to report mistreatment. Recognizing the warning signs can help you take action to prevent further harm.

Physical Abuse Indicators

  • Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures
  • Restraint marks on wrists or ankles
  • Repeated injuries without clear explanations
  • Fearfulness around specific staff members
  • Flinching, pulling away, or otherwise fearing being touched

Signs of Emotional and Psychological Abuse

  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Sudden changes in mood or personality
  • Depression, anxiety, or signs of fear
  • Uncharacteristic silence or reluctance to speak

Sexual Abuse Warning Signs

  • Unexplained bruising or bleeding around genitals or breasts
  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Difficulty walking or sitting
  • Torn or stained underwear

Financial Exploitation Warning Signs

  • Missing personal belongings or cash
  • Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts
  • Changes to wills, powers of attorney, or financial documents
  • Bills left unpaid despite sufficient funds

Neglect Symptoms

  • Dehydration or malnutrition
  • Dirty clothing or poor hygiene
  • Pressure sores or bedsores from lack of movement

Infections due to inadequate medical care

Types of Charleston Nursing Home Abuse Cases We Handle

Nursing home abuse and neglect take many forms, all of which can cause serious harm. Joye Law Firm can help families in a variety of claims, including:

Physical Assault and Restraint Cases

Some caregivers or other residents resort to physical force, leaving victims with painful injuries. In some cases, nursing home staff may improperly use restraints—both physical and chemical—to control residents, leading to serious harm. No facility should tolerate violence, yet it happens far too often.

Medication Errors and Overmedication

Nursing home staff may administer the wrong medication, give incorrect dosages, or overmedicate residents to make them easier to control. These mistakes can lead to serious health complications or even death.

Falls Due to Inadequate Supervision

A lack of assistance with walking, transfers, or mobility devices leads to dangerous falls. Facilities in Charleston often face staffing shortages that contribute to these accidents.

Dehydration and Malnutrition

Residents depend on caregivers for proper nutrition and hydration. When staff fail to provide meals or monitor fluid intake, severe health issues arise.

Bed Sores and Pressure Ulcers

When staff members don’t reposition bedridden residents, pressure sores can develop, often leading to dangerous infections. These injuries are entirely preventable with proper care.

Financial Fraud and Theft

Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to financial abuse. Whether it’s a caregiver stealing valuables or unauthorized changes to bank accounts, families must stay vigilant.

Emotional Abuse and Isolation

Some facilities isolate residents from family visits, refuse to allow them social interaction, or use verbal intimidation to control them. This emotional distress can be just as damaging as physical abuse.

Your Rights Under South Carolina Law

South Carolina law provides protections for nursing home residents, and federal regulations further reinforce those rights. Families have legal avenues to demand accountability when abuse occurs.

State Regulations for Nursing HomesFemale nursing home patient with a walker being assisted to stand by a staff member who is out of frame.

South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) enforces regulations for nursing homes. These rules require facilities to provide adequate care, maintain safe conditions, and report abuse incidents.

Resident Rights Under Federal Law

Federal laws, including the Nursing Home Reform Act, establish rights such as dignity, freedom from abuse, and access to medical care. Violations of these rights can form the basis of legal action.

Statute of Limitations

Families must act within South Carolina’s legal deadlines to file a claim. In most cases, you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. However, the time limit varies based on the circumstances of the case, as certain exceptions can apply. You need to seek legal guidance promptly to protect your loved one’s rights and preserve evidence.

Compensation You Could Receive for Nursing Home Injuries

When a nursing home fails to provide proper care, the harm can be devastating. Residents may suffer from serious medical conditions, emotional distress, and financial exploitation. Filing a legal claim can help families recover the compensation needed to support their loved one’s recovery, relocate them to a safer facility, and hold the negligent nursing home accountable.

Medical Expenses

Neglect and abuse often lead to costly medical treatments, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation. Compensation can cover both past and future medical care related to the injuries.

Costs of Relocation to a Safer Facility

If a nursing home is unsafe, moving your loved one to a better facility becomes a priority. However, relocation costs—including transportation, admission fees, and increased care costs—can be expensive. A legal claim can help recover these expenses.

Pain and Suffering

Beyond physical injuries, nursing home abuse can leave residents with lasting trauma. Compensation may account for the physical discomfort, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by mistreatment.

Reimbursement for Financial Exploitation

If a nursing home staff member or another resident has stolen money, altered financial accounts, or engaged in fraudulent activity, you may be able to recover the lost funds through a legal claim.

Punitive Damages

In cases involving extreme neglect or intentional wrongdoing, the court may award punitive damages. These damages serve as punishment for the nursing home and act as a deterrent to prevent future abuse.

Seeking fair compensation is about more than money—it’s about justice, accountability, and ensuring your loved one receives the care and dignity they deserve. If a nursing home’s negligence has caused harm, Joye Law Firm is ready to help.

How We Can Help

Holding a negligent nursing home accountable requires thorough investigation and a strong legal strategy. Families dealing with abuse or neglect often feel overwhelmed by the legal process, but you don’t have to face it alone. Joye Law Firm can help ensure that your loved one receives the justice and compensation they deserve.

Free Initial Consultation

We offer free consultations to listen to your concerns and explain your legal options. There’s no obligation—just straightforward information about how we can help, and if we can’t help, we will help you find someone who can.

Investigation of Abuse Claims

Our legal team gathers crucial evidence, including photographs of injuries, medical records, witness statements, staff histories, facility inspection reports, financial records, and any communication that could demonstrate a facility’s failure to provide proper care. We work to uncover patterns of neglect or abuse that might have been previously hidden.

Expert Witness Coordination

Medical professionals, elder care specialists, and financial experts can provide testimony that strengthens your claim. We work with trusted experts who can explain how the abuse or neglect occurred and its impact on your loved one.

Negotiation with Facilities and Insurance Companies

Nursing homes and their insurers often try to downplay claims or offer settlements that don’t reflect the full extent of the harm done. Your attorney will push back against these tactics and fight for a fair resolution that fully accounts for your loved one’s injuries and suffering.

Why Choose Us to Handle Your Charleston Nursing Home Abuse Claim

Joye Law Firm has been a trusted advocate for injury victims in Charleston for years. Families choose us because our attorneys and co-counsel offer:

  • A deep understanding of South Carolina elder care laws
  • The resources to take on well-funded nursing home corporations
  • A compassionate approach to helping victims and their families
  • Local knowledge of Charleston facilities and their histories
  • Extensive experience in cases of nursing home abuse and negligence
  • A strong track record of securing compensation for abuse victims
  • We also work under a contingency fee arrangement. You pay nothing upfront for us to handle your case. Legal fees only apply if we recover compensation for you, and we take our fees from the settlement or court award—not from your back pocket.

Trust us to help you and your family through this difficult time. You can rely on us to provide personalized attention to your case and fight tirelessly for the best outcome possible.

Steps to Take If You Suspect Abuse

When a nursing home fails to protect its residents, taking swift action can prevent further harm and help someone dear to you get the care they deserve. If you suspect abuse or neglect in a Charleston nursing home, follow these steps to protect your loved one and build a strong case against the facility.

Immediate Actions to Protect Your Loved One

If your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911. If the situation is not urgent but still concerning, consider moving them to a safer environment as soon as possible. Abuse and neglect often worsen over time, so removing them from the facility may be the best way to prevent further harm.

Documentation Requirements

Evidence plays a critical role in proving abuse or neglect. Keep detailed records of injuries, changes in behavior, unusual financial transactions, or concerning facility conditions. Take photos of any visible injuries, unsanitary conditions, or signs of neglect. Keep a written record of conversations with staff and any unusual incidents you notice.

Reporting Procedures

South Carolina law requires nursing homes to follow strict care standards. If you suspect abuse, report it to the South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). These agencies investigate complaints and take action against facilities that fail to meet legal standards.

Medical Evaluation Importance

A medical examination can help confirm injuries and provide documentation linking them to mistreatment. If you suspect dehydration, malnutrition, medication errors, or other health-related neglect, schedule an independent medical evaluation with a trusted doctor who is not affiliated with the nursing home.

Seek Legal Counsel ASAP

Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible helps strengthen your case. Nursing homes often deny responsibility, and key evidence can disappear over time. Your attorney can help gather evidence, interview witnesses, and take legal action to hold the nursing home accountable for the harm your loved one has suffered.

If you suspect abuse or neglect, don’t wait. Taking action now can protect the person dear to you and help prevent others from experiencing the same mistreatment.

FAQs About Nursing Home Abuse Cases in Charleston

Charleston Nursing Home Abuse

How do I report nursing home abuse in Charleston?

You can report abuse to the South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman or DHEC. A lawyer can help file reports and take legal action.

Can I sue a nursing home if my loved one died from abuse?

Yes, a wrongful death claim can hold the nursing home accountable and recover compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, and emotional suffering.

What if the nursing home denies the abuse?

Facilities often try to avoid liability, but strong evidence and legal action can expose the truth.

How long does a nursing home abuse case take?

The timeline varies, but cases often take months to resolve, especially if litigation is necessary.

Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Now

No family should have to endure the pain of nursing home abuse. When you hire Joye Law Firm, you’ll have an entire team behind you. In serious cases of inadequate nursing home care, you gain the combined strength of two dedicated law firms. We serve as your primary advocate while collaborating with a firm that has a strong track record of successfully trying similar cases. This partnership provides you with comprehensive legal representation at no additional cost.

If your loved one has suffered due to neglect or mistreatment in Charleston, Joye Law Firm is ready to fight for justice. Call us today at (888) 324-3100 for a free consultation.

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