Woman Charged with Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

When selecting a South Carolina Nursing Home for a loved one, you want to ensure that the loved one is safe.  Despite your best efforts, abuse can and does happen. Recently, a Summerton, SC resident was charged with nursing home abuse and neglect after investigations uncovered her abuse while working at a nursing home in Sumter, South Carolina.

The employee was arrested on Monday, August 25th and charged with one count of abuse of a vulnerable adult, and one count of neglect of a vulnerable adult.

Deputies were called to the Sumter Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center on July 25th after receiving reports of nursing home abuse perpetrated by one of the employees. A 70-year-old woman told police officers that the employee struck her in the chest after the employee asked Lawson for help changing her clothes. Instead of assisting her, the employee jerked the gown off, hurting the victim’s arms, then she began to beat the victim repeated on the chest. The victim reportedly suffered minor injuries.

A 71-year-old man also told authorities that the employee had abandoned him in his wheelchair, nude from the waist down. He had also asked her for assistance with changing clothes.

Lt. Robert Burnish, spokesman for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, said that the employee was no longer employed at the nursing home. It is unclear if she has an attorney.

If you have a loved one in a South Carolina Nursing Home, the best thing that you can do is learn to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Your Loved Ones

Nursing home residents may suffer from physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse by their caregivers (home caregivers, family member caregivers). In many cases, these elderly victims cannot communicate due to dementia or other health problems, which makes reporting caregiver or nursing home abuse especially difficult. However, your loved one may show some signs of potential nursing home abuse, and it is important to keep an eye on these problems and report them immediately.

• bruises, welts, burns
• unexplained fractures or other physical injuries
• repeated accidents
• injuries left untreated
• references to caregiver’s temper or anger
• nervous or quiet around caregiver
• runs away from the home or tries to
• has marks or scars from restraints on wrists
• shows effects of chemical restraints such as incoherence, grogginess, excessive sleep
• sudden fear, restlessness, anxiety
• prevented from getting medical treatment or being alone with visitors
• unexplained changes in behavior
• withdrawal
• unexplained weight gain or loss
• sudden loss of interest in life
• appearance of sudden demise of mental health
• symptoms of extreme shock such as the development of tics: rocking, refusing to speak
• isolation

The Strom Law Defends Victims of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home abuse and neglect cases can be difficult to establish because of an widespread tendency by insurance adjusters, physicians, among others, to discount an elderly person’s injuries and the diminished quality of life that results from these damages.

If your loved one has physically suffered, or died wrongfully, due to neglect or abuse in a nursing home, you may have a nursing home abuse case. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm understand the sensitive nature of elder abuse cases, and will treat you with respect and compassion. It is important to fight elder abuse so you, your family, and others no longer suffer because of criminal behavior. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help.803.252.4800