Many families have turned to nursing homes when they need help providing the support and care that their loved ones need but they are unable to give on their own. The trust that families in these positions necessarily place in a nursing home is substantial. Unfortunately, in far too many cases, this trust is violated, as nursing home staff members act abusively or negligently. Nursing home negligence, abuse, and neglect is a serious issue in the United States, and the consequences it can have for elderly individuals and their loved ones can be devastating. Victims may experience physical injury, mental or emotional anguish, loss of financial resources, and even death as a result of nursing home abuse and neglect.
At the Goings Law Firm, LLC, our team believes that nursing home negligence in Columbia cannot and should not be allowed to persist. No one deserves to face abuse, neglect, or mistreatment in their own residence. Fortunately, families whose loved ones have suffered as a result of nursing home negligence have the right to take legal action against those responsible, holding them accountable for their negligence and the consequences it has. To learn more about how our nursing home abuse attorneys can help you, contact us today at (803) 350-9230 to schedule a free consultation.
Why You Need a Lawyer
When you place a loved one in a nursing home, you give that home your trust. You expect them to meet the medical needs of your loved one, as well as treat them with the respect and dignity that they deserve. In too many cases these standards are betrayed. Nursing homes need to be held accountable for their actions. Filing a lawsuit is a way to get justice for the abuses enacted against your loved ones. It can also help to prevent other patients from experiencing similar instances of abuse and neglect in the future.
Seeking legal counsel is essential in successfully bringing a claim against a nursing home or staff member. A lawyer will understand the laws and regulations that nursing homes must follow. These laws are often complicated, so having a professional on your side can help you better understand what kinds of violations might have occurred. A lawyer will know how to proceed given your specific circumstances.
A lawyer can also draw upon their experience to help build a strong case. Some nursing homes, especially larger ones, already have lawyers on their side who will work hard to dismiss your claims. You need someone who can fight aggressively for you and for your injured loved one. A lawyer can help gather evidence against the nursing home or staff member, contact other victims, interview witnesses, and formulate a strong case. They know how to present this evidence in an effective manner that will help work towards a positive outcome.
If your loved one has been affected by the abuse or neglect they have experienced, you most likely have a lot on your mind. You probably want to get them back to a healthy place. You don’t want to have to worry about complicated legal proceedings. Contacting a lawyer can help make this process much easier. Let them handle all the paperwork and phone calls so that you can focus on your loved one getting better.
Why Choose Goings Law Firm, LLC?
Choosing a lawyer to represent you is a very important decision. You want to ensure that you bring the nursing home or staff member to justice for past abuses and to prevent any further incidents in the future. There are a number of firms in the Columbia area who might be able to help, but none are as dedicated or as passionate as our team at Goings Law Firm, LLC. Some of the elements that set us apart include:
- Dedication to Our Clients: At Goings Law Firm, LLC, we understand that you are facing a lot right now and that it might feel overwhelming. We are here to help you, and our team will work tirelessly to make sure that the legal proceedings go as smoothly as possible. We vow to fight aggressively on your behalf and to always keep your interests at the forefront of our minds.
- Award-Winning Team: Our efforts on behalf of our clients have earned us recognition from a number of institutions. Our firm was named in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. We have also been awarded the Legal Elite of the Midlands in 2016 and 2017. Our team has also been named Top 40 under 40 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. And this is just to name a few.
- Track Record: Our talented and experienced team has fought hard to get positive results for hundreds of our clients, winning millions of dollars over the years. Take a look at our results to see some of our past victories and to see how we might be able to help you.
Our team at Goings Law Firm, LLC has the knowledge, experience, resources, and heart to help you through this trying time. Contact us today to see how we can help you seek justice.
What Are the Laws?
In 1987, the Federal Government passed the Nursing Home Reform Act to protect the elderly against abuse, neglect, and inadequate care. It provides guidelines that nursing homes must follow to receive federal funding. It also includes a Resident’s Bill of Rights that protect elderly patients’ dignity, safety, and wellbeing. Some stipulations of the Resident’s Bill of Rights include:
- Preservation of dignity
- Ability to voice complaints without fear
- Freedom from physical restraints
- Privacy
- No presence of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment
Any violations to this Bills of Rights is considered unacceptable by federal standards. If you suspect a nursing home is violating these rights, you might be able to build a case against them to pursue justice for your loved one and other residents.
Examples of Nursing Home Negligence, Abuse and Neglect:
Nursing home negligence can take many different forms, with consequences ranging from emotional and psychological trauma to physical injury or even death. Unfortunately, many nursing home residents in Columbia are forced to suffer from:
- Malnutrition: Many nursing home patients do not receive the daily nutrition they need. In addition, many have prescribed diets that are essential to their wellbeing. A lack of nutrition can greatly affect a patient’s health.
- Nursing Home Falls: It is fairly common for elderly people to fall and be unable to get back up. If a nursing home’s staff does not respond within a sufficient amount of time, this could lead to further injury or even death.
- Bed sores: Bed sores are common among patients who have low mobility and can cause great discomfort. They are, however, easily preventable with the right type of care. A good staff member should be diligent in helping a patient to move regularly in order to prevent bed sores.
- Physical abuse: Some employees might grow angry or frustrated and lash out physically at their patients. Other examples of physical abuse include being constrained too tightly and being dropped.
- Fractures: Fractures can occur as a result of falling or of experiencing forms of physical abuse. If this injury happened because of negligence or abuse, you may be able to build a case against those responsible.
- Psychological abuse: Psychological abuse comes in many forms. Patients might feel depressed because their physical and social needs are not being met. Other patients might feel this way because they are being verbally abused and teased by staff members. If you noticed that your loved one is exhibiting concerning psychological symptoms or personality changes, it could be a result of neglect or abuse.
- Sexual abuse: Sadly, inappropriate touching or sexual activity is fairly common in nursing homes. These abusers should not be able to get away with violating and assaulting their patients who might be physically unable to stop them.
- Theft and fraud: Some employees will scheme to steal from their patients, whether it be something as small as a personal effect or something as big as a person’s identity. Either way, these actions are illegal and unacceptable.
These and any other forms of nursing home negligence need to be stopped as quickly as possible in order to protect the elderly. And with the help of a lawyer, it is often much easier to get the justice and compensation your family needs after a loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home.
Contact a Nursing Home Attorney in Columbia
Our personal injury lawyers at the Goings Law Firm, LLC, are dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of anyone in Columbia who has been victimized by an abusive or negligent nursing home staff. Call us at (803) 350-9230 if you or a loved one has gone through such a terrible situation and you are interested in taking civil action against the nursing home or staff member.
