Nursing Home Abuse Litigation
Serving South Carolina’s elderly
In 2005, there were 565,747 reports made to the Adult Protective Services. Many times, as people get older, they become dependent on others for the maintenance of their well-being. This is especially true in cases where the senior citizen is a resident at a long term care facility or nursing home.
Identifying nursing home abuse
Regrettably, many times abuse goes without being reported. Residents of nursing homes often have only periodic family support available, or may not be able to communicate that they are being hurt to their loved ones. This makes their mistreatment harder to detect. Some warning signs include:
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Financial abuse and misappropriation of funds
When seniors enter nursing home or long-term care facilities, they very often have to rely on others for their finances as well as their overall welfare. Sadly, many find themselves the victims of scams or untrustworthy people. There are ways of restoring the financial security of an elderly loved one who has been victimized. Contact Jekel-Doolittle, LLC, and discuss your options today.
Some signs that a person is being financially abused include:
- Unexplainable withdrawals from accounts
- Changes in wills and trusts
- Checks written as “gift” or “loan”
- New accounts opened
Legally, a nursing home cannot ask a potential resident to turn over funds in order to secure their placement. They must document and be able to account for all money with invoices. If you think that some person or facility is taking advantage of a senior, Jekel-Doolittle, LLC, has the skill and tenacity for your case.
Abuse laws
The laws regarding elder abuse vary from state to state, and you should consult an attorney in your area to be sure you get the most accurate information possible. Some states declare nursing home abuse or elder neglect to be a civil matter, while others have criminal statutes in place. The punishments for these crimes can range from a monetary fine to a jail sentence. Many states require, by law, that a facility report any suspected instance of abuse to the proper authorities for immediate investigation.
If you believe that a loved one or senior you know is a victim of nursing home abuse, contact Jekel-Doolittle, LLC. We can help you in your search for justice.
Contact Us
If you suspect that someone has harmed your elderly loved one, call Jekel-Doolittle, LLC, at (843)654-7700 or email us.
