MYRTLE BEACH NURSING HOME ABUSE ATTORNEYS

Physical abuse occurs when someone uses physical force against a nursing home patient to cause physical injury or pain. Kicking, punching, and slapping are common forms of physical abuse. Unfortunately, older adults are susceptible to severe injuries during abusive situations and can’t defend themselves during an attack.

Emotional abuse involves verbal or nonverbal actions to cause emotional or psychological anguish, distress, or pain. Nursing home patients often experience depression, cognitive decline, and withdrawal from family and friends after suffering emotional abuse.

Sexual abuse happens when a person uses threats, coercion, or force to engage in sexual activity with a nursing home resident against their will. Most older adults can’t fight back when someone attacks them. Additionally, many patients have diseases, such as dementia, that prevent them from remembering what happened.

Financial abuse is the illegal or improper use of someone else’s assets, personal property, or money. Perpetrators often use their patient’s bank accounts, forge signatures on financial documents, and steal cash from their room without their knowledge or permission.

Neglect happens when a caregiver doesn’t fulfill their duties and obligations of caring for a nursing home resident. A common example is withholding food and water from a patient. Neglect can result in bedsores, infections, and untreated injuries.

Abandonment occurs when a person responsible for providing the necessary care and assistance to an older adult chooses to desert them. Leaving someone unattended for hours or ignoring a request for help to the bathroom is considered abandonment.