South Carolina Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Some states provide criminal penalties for the abuse, neglect, or other mistreatment of nursing home residents. Historically, prosecution for crimes involving abuse, neglect and exploitation of the elderly were relatively infrequent. This was due in part to:

• the reluctance of older persons to report incidents or press charges;
  the fact that the immediate harm was removed through the intervention of adult protective services;
• the difficulty some older people have in participating in a criminal trial;
• physical frailty;
• the frequent lack of supporting evidence; and
• the concern of some prosecutors that elderly victims might not make credible witness due to physical limitations or loss of memory.

Recently, the number of criminal prosecutions has increased.

Moreover, some states have enhanced penalties for crimes committed against older people.

In some cases, the failure to provide residents with sufficient food, keep residents clean enough, or prevent bedsores from occurring, have supported convictions for criminal neglect.

In other cases, the unjustified use of physical restraint or force against nursing home residents has resulted in convictions for nursing home abuse.

In some states, the definition of abuse may require inappropriate physical contact that harms or threatens to harm the patient, and may not cover verbal threats.

If you or a loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home or patient care facility, contact The Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation with one of our nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys.

Every case is different.  If your loved one has been injured or died as a result of a nursing home accident, we encourage you to contact the Strom Law Firm, LLC today to schedule an appointment for a no cost consultation with one of our nursing home accident and injury attorneys.  Your free consultation will enable us to understand the facts of your situation so that we can advise you on the best way to proceed.  803.252.4800.

By: South Carolina Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Pete Strom