Abuse of the elderly and vulnerable is simply inexcusable. Full stop. Sadly, it happens in the places families trust most: day cares, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and home health providers. Places that are supposed to protect your loved one, not cause them harm. When neglect or abuse leads to injuries, financial exploitation, or wrongful death, South Carolina law gives you the right to fight back.
Hughey Law Firm has recovered over $300 million in verdicts and settlements for families across South Carolina, many facing a situation similar to you and your loved one. We have resolved over 1,000 cases in these types of cases, and reviewed thousands more. We investigate staffing reports, review medical records, and build cases to hold negligent facilities and caregivers accountable. Call us today at (843) 881-8644, live chat with us here, or complete the contact form on our website. All consultations are free and confidential, and we only get paid if you get paid.
TYPES OF ELDER ABUSE CASES WE HANDLE
- Physical Abuse: injuries to long-term care residents, including unexplained broken or fractured bones, sprains, bruising, burns, and damage to belongings
- Emotional Abuse: entails staff verbally attacking residents, scapegoating or blaming victims, isolating victims, intimidation, yelling, or ridicule
- Neglect: failing to meet residents’ individual care needs, including basic daily needs, medical care, personal hygiene, and social interaction
- Sexual Abuse: staff initiating non- consensual physical contact with residents, involving unwanted touching, nudity, rape, or sexual photography
- Financial Abuse: staff attempting to take control and advantage of residents’ finances, estate planning, and personal belongings
COMPENSATION AVAILABLE IN ELDER ABUSE LAWSUITS
The physical, emotional, and financial toll of elder abuse adds up fast, and South Carolina law allows families to pursue compensation that reflects the full weight of that harm. It is not uncommon for these cases to reach well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, particularly when facilities engaged in willful neglect or repeated failures of care.
- Medical bills for treating injuries sustained because of abuse or neglect
Basic living expenses, including the cost of groceries
Cost of transferring the patient to another medical or care facility
Reimbursement for damaged or stolen belongings
Compensation for the victims’ legal fees
Therapy and physical rehabilitation
Lost income or other profits
Funeral expenses
Pain and suffering the victim experienced (non- economic damages)
REPORTING ELDER ABUSE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected, act quickly. South Carolina law requires that suspected abuse be reported within 24 hours. Here is who to contact based on your loved one’s living situation:
- Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or community residential care facilities: Long Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-868-9095
- Residential facilities operated by the Department of Mental Health or Department of Disabilities and Special Needs: SLED Special Victims Unit: 1-866-200-6066
- Elders living at home or in the community: Adult Protective Services (DSS): 1-888-227- 3487 (1-888-CARE4US)
- Identity theft or financial scams targeting an elder: SC Department of Consumer Affairs: 1-800-922-1594
If your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911.
You can also file a report online through the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
When you notice signs of abuse or neglect, document everything you can. Take photos of injuries, write down dates and details of what you observed, and keep records of any conversations with facility staff. That documentation becomes critical evidence in litigation.
Don’t Wait. Get Your Free Consultation from an Elder Abuse Lawyer.
At Hughey Law Firm, we can help investigate the full scope of what happened, hold the responsible parties accountable, and pursue the compensation your family deserves. Call us at (843) 806-0979, use the contact form on our website, or start a live chat with our team right now.
All initial consultations are completely free and confidential, and we only get paid out of proceeds from any verdict or settlement we are able to win on your behalf.