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NURSING HOME ABUSE

Even in an area with a lot of retirees such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina making the emotional decision to place a loved one in a nursing home can be difficult. You have every right to expect that your loved one will be well taken care of. Although we believe at the Law Office of William Luse that most nursing home employees are hardworking and conscientious, we also realize it only takes a few bad apples to cause serious harm. Many nursing homes not only in Myrtle Beach but around the country are intentionally understaffed to save on expenses, meaning employees are overworked and more prone to mistakes. Training at many nursing homes may be skimp, and screening procedures for new hires may be lax.


At the law office of William Luse we have found that nursing home abuse can take various forms:


* Physical abuse includes inadequately explained bruises, fractures, scrapes, sores, lacerations, burns, and forced restraint.


* Emotional abuse may lead to the resident being fearful or depressed, withdrawing from social interaction, displaying other unusual behavior, or possibly losing weight or hair. Sexual-abuse symptoms often overlap physical-and-emotional abuse symptoms.


* Financial exploitation of a vulnerable resident may involve influencing them to initiate certain financial transactions or change their will, among other possibilities.


* A resident's daily needs may be neglected-proper hygiene, nutrition, medical care, and access to medical aides (glasses, dentures) among others.


If you do suspect nursing home abuse or neglect and it's an emergency, call 911 immediately. If the situation is not life threatening, promptly register your concerns with management, and contact local law enforcement or the district attorney's office to file a report.


Adult Protective Services will also investigate reports of nursing home abuse. The Eldercare Locator, a service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, can help you contact Adult Protective Services if need be.


It is also important to contact an experienced nursing home injury attorney. At the Law Office of William J. Luse we can offer guidance on your legal options and make sure that your loved one's rights are being protected.

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