If you moved your elderly parent, grandparent, or other loved one into a nursing home, it was undoubtedly with the assumption that he or she would receive quality care. As such, if you have reason to believe he or she is being neglected or abused, it’s only natural to be devastated. Thankfully, your family may have legal recourse.
Nursing homes are expected to abide by reasonable standards of care. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any damages that result.
In order to hold the facility accountable, though, you’re going to have to put together a compelling claim. Here are some of the most important steps you’ll want to take as soon as possible to both protect the victim and help get your case off the ground:
Your loved one’s health is the first priority. The moment you have reason to believe they’re not being treated well by nursing home staff, it’s time to find an alternative. If possible, move them to another facility in the area. Moving them back home and arranging for around-the-clock care is also a viable option.
Regardless of which route your family takes, make sure to preserve all records documenting the associated costs. You should be able to include them in your nursing home abuse claim.
If you have anything that might serve as proof during the proceedings, store it in a safe place. Examples include video footage, photographs of any visible wounds, names of the staff you’ve interacted with, and incident reports.
The more diligent you are about tracking damages, the more you’ll be able to seek in compensation from the liable party. Save any and all documentation that corresponds to expenses your family wouldn’t have incurred had your loved one received adequate care.
It may be tempting to turn to social media for support—or to warn others of the substandard care the facility has been providing—but doing so could end up hurting your case. At the end of the day, the insurance adjuster is going to be looking for any reason whatsoever to challenge your credibility, and you can be sure they’ll start by scrutinizing your online activity.
To prevent disputes from arising over alleged discrepancies, it’s best to lay low online until your claim has been resolved.
While you don’t have to enlist representation to file a claim, it’s typically advisable to turn to a professional when your family’s financial security is at stake. A seasoned attorney has the knowledge, resources, and experience to guide you through every stage of the proceedings, so you can pursue the maximum payout possible.
At Hodge & Langley Law Firm, we’re determined to advocate for those who have been wronged by others, including nursing home residents. If your elderly loved one was neglected or abused by the staff at his or her facility, we’ll help you take the steps needed to hold them accountable. To schedule a free initial consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer in South Carolina, call 864-585-3873 or fill out our Contact Form.
Submission of information in this contact form does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In order to establish such a relationship with our firm we require a direct meeting with the attorney.
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