Have you or a loved one been the victim of nursing home abuse and neglect? Talk to Columbia nursing home abuse attorney Bert Louthian of The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers. Our injury attorney represents people who are victims of mistreatment in a nursing home.
You may have concerns about your care or the treatment of a loved one in a facility. You may know that abuse has occurred but do not know what to do. Call (803) 592-6231 to talk to Columbia nursing home abuse attorney Bert Louthian about your situation.
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Serving Columbia, SC
The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers serves Columbia, SC and is skilled with nursing home abuse claims:
- We believe that nursing home abuse victims deserve somewhere to turn when they need legal help because of abuse or neglect.
- You can have a lawyer represent you or your family member.
- In your claim, you can seek financial compensation.
- The compensation the victim receives may reflect financial losses, such as medical bills, as well as the suffering that comes with being the victim of abuse.
- To receive compensation, you must bring a legal claim. As a civil claim, it’s the victim who initiates their own claim.
- A lawyer can represent you. The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers can represent you.
Since 1985, attorney Bert Louthian has been advocating for victims in the Columbia, SC area. He has seen the suffering that victims endure when they are abused in a nursing home. When someone enters a care facility, they expect to be safe. When abuse occurs, the victim suffers physically and mentally.
Bert Louthian advocates for victims. He is there to make things right when you need legal representation because of nursing home abuse. To see how he can help you, contact us for a consultation. There is no obligation, and consultations are always free.
Types of Cases We Handle
Slip and fall
Most people in a nursing home facility are at an elevated risk of falling. The risk should be evaluated for each person. Railings should be offered when needed, flooring should be in good repair and free of debris and canes, walkers and wheelchairs should be used when appropriate. When a slip and fall occurs, it may be the result of negligence and inadequate fall protection.
Assault and battery
A resident may be the victim of assault and battery by the very care providers who are supposed to take care of them. A care provider responsible for assault and battery may face criminal and civil accountability. An attorney can prove what happened and advance the claim.
Neglect
Neglect can take many forms. Inadequate food or water, infrequent changes of clothes or bedding or a lack of basic sanitation can amount to neglect. Isolating residents and preventing them from talking to others may be social neglect. Each resident should have their needs met. A lack of care and provision of basic needs may be grounds for a nursing home abuse claim.
Medical malpractice
People who live in a nursing home typically have important healthcare needs. Medical malpractice can occur in a nursing home setting.
Poisoning and overmedication
Care providers in nursing homes may use overmedication to control residents. Poisoning may be the result of accidental exposure to harmful substances, a medication error or intentional acts. It may qualify as abuse.
Unsanitary conditions
Basic sanitation means routine cleaning, laundry and care in food preparation. Poor sanitation can spread illness and disease. It lowers the overall quality of living for residents.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is physically, mentally and emotionally damaging for residents. A victim may not be able to speak up, and they may fear retaliation. Victims deserve justice and safety.
Abuse from other residents
One way that harm may occur to a resident in a care facility is abuse from another resident. The care facility must provide adequate security, being aware that intentional and unintentional harm caused by residents is a possibility. The care facility must take adequate steps to keep residents safe.
Psychological and mental abuse
Nursing home residents depend on care providers. Too often, victims suffer psychological and mental abuse at the hands of their caregivers. A victim may be threatened, ridiculed, antagonized and made to worry. Psychological abuse harms the wellbeing of its victim. It may accompany physical abuse.
Understanding Nursing Home Abuse Claims
A nursing home abuse claim may be based on negligence, recklessness or intentional acts. There are state and federal regulations that apply to nursing homes. As your lawyer, Bert Louthian explores all possibilities to hold those responsible accountable for what has occurred.
Grounds for nursing home abuse claims
These are some of the underlying reasons that nursing home abuse occurs:
- Workers who choose to physically and mentally abuse patients
- Lack of resources devoted to providing care, including meeting basic needs for food and sanitation
- Inadequate staffing so workers don’t have the time to tend to each patient
- A culture that doesn’t emphasize safety and the dignity of each resident
- Poor communication between workers, bad record keeping
- Education and training for workers that is insufficient, retraining or discipline doesn’t happen when there are signs of a problem
- Damaged and decaying facilities leading to trip and fall hazards, dangers that are not addressed including slippery surfaces, trip and fall hazards and fire hazards
- Culture of silence where employees are discouraged from speaking up when problems arise
As your attorney, we search for the underlying causes and factors contributing to the abuse. We gather records. We talk to witnesses even when they are reluctant. Through careful case preparation, we prove what happened and who is legally responsible.
Types of Injuries Suffered by Elderly Nursing Home Patients
Seniors are more vulnerable to serious injuries when involved in an accident or subjected to abuse. A few of the most common elder injuries include:
- Hip fractures
- Wrist or ankle fractures
- Concussions/Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Wrongful death
These injuries can be expensive and dramatically impact a person’s quality of life. If you or your loved one has suffered these or any other injuries, contact a personal injury attorney at The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Recognizing Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
At The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers, we help seniors that have been abused or neglected in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and in their own homes by a healthcare provider. There are many signs that an elderly person has been mistreated:
- Unexplained bruises or injuries
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Withdrawal or isolation from loved ones
- Reluctance to talk about injuries or care provider
- Malnutrition
- Poor hygiene
If you’ve noticed any of the above signs of abuse or neglect, then you should look more closely at the person who is supposed to be providing care to your loved one. If you suspect abuse or neglect, contact The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Nursing Home Settlements and Judgments
A victim of nursing home abuse may qualify to receive a settlement or judgment. Not only can it provide financial compensation, but it is also a recognition of the harm and suffering of the victim. Attorney Bert Louthian understands the special considerations in a nursing home abuse case. He appreciates that a victim has been through an emotionally and mentally challenging ordeal. It is his goal to take care of the legal process so that the victim and their family can focus on healing.
Compensation for nursing home abuse and neglect may reflect the multiple ways that a victim suffers harm. First, it may cover financial losses such as medical bills. If the victim needs increased nursing care or personalized care services because of the abuse, these costs may also be a part of the claim.
Nursing home abuse victims suffer mental anguish. They may fear retaliation. They may worry, feel shame, suffer from anxiety or replay the abuse in their mind. Mental and emotional trauma is a very real type of injury along with pain and suffering.
A nursing home abuse victim should receive fair compensation for economic losses and the non-economic suffering that result from abuse. We believe the compensation a victim is due under the law is an important part of the healing process. Let our team personalize our representation to the specific circumstances of your case.
Why Choose Experienced Attorney Bert Louthian?
Here are some reasons families rely on The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers when a loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse:
- Since 1985, Bert Louthian has been advocating for families in the Columbia, SC region. Under the mentorship of his attorney father, he saw how important it is to advocate for the most vulnerable in the community. He works each day with this mission to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.
- He understands that nursing home abuse victims may not recognize abuse. They are often unable to speak for themselves. He knows how to pursue a claim when evidence may be difficult to collect or when a victim is reluctant to speak.
- Through the years, Bert Louthian has built an impressive track record of success. He holds the Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Preeminent rating for the highest standards in professional practice and ethics. He is rated 10.0 by AVVO. He is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for success in representing clients.
- Consultations with The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers are always free. We understand that being a nursing home abuse victim is troubling and confusing. If you don’t know what to do, or you are looking for answers, we invite you to have a consultation with our legal team. Ask questions and get information about your situation. Learn about your options, knowing that there is no obligation to have a consultation.
The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers is your nursing home abuse law firm serving Columbia, SC and the surrounding regions. We are here for you to make things right.
Free Consultation – Talk to an Attorney Today
If you or a loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, we invite you to talk to attorney Bert Louthian. See how The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers helps nursing home abuse victims and start your case today.
For your consultation, call (803) 592-6231. We can meet you at our offices, your home, in the hospital or in a care facility. Contact us today to talk about your situation and begin.
