North Charleston Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

Elder Abuse and Neglect Lawyers Serving Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties

Placing a loved one in a nursing home requires trust. Families expect long-term care facilities to provide a safe, dignified, and compassionate environment for elderly residents. When a nursing home violates this trust, residents suffer neglect, abuse, and wrongful death. If you or someone you love has experienced mistreatment in a North Charleston nursing home, legal action may be the only way to secure justice and financial recovery.

South Carolina law protects long-term care residents from abuse and neglect, yet violations remain alarmingly common. North Charleston has 18 nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities, some of which have been flagged for staffing shortages and substandard care. Statewide, more than 8,000 complaints are filed annually on behalf of long-term care residents. These statistics highlight a growing problem that demands legal intervention when a resident suffers harm.

Steinberg Law Firm has spent nearly a century fighting for injury victims in South Carolina. With over 170 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys understand the challenges of holding nursing homes accountable. If you suspect that a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect, our team is ready to investigate, build your case, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

How to Identify Nursing Home Abuse in North Charleston

Abuse and neglect in nursing homes do not always leave visible injuries. In some cases, mistreatment takes the form of emotional harm, financial exploitation, or severe neglect. Family members must remain vigilant and recognize the warning signs before the situation escalates.

Physical Abuse and Neglect

Many nursing home residents are physically vulnerable, making them easy targets for abuse, rough handling, or neglect. Common signs of physical harm include:

• Unexplained bruises, fractures, or burns that staff members refuse to explain;
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers, indicating prolonged neglect;
• Sudden weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition due to poor care; and
• Frequent infections, or sepsis, are often linked to unsanitary conditions.

Staff shortages contribute to poor care and medical neglect. In 2023, three of South Carolina’s 190 nursing homes were cited for insufficient staffing, and 68 facilities scored below average for their staff-to-resident ratio. Inadequate staffing increases the likelihood of medical errors, neglect, and preventable deaths.

Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Mistreatment in nursing homes is not always physical. Verbal harassment, humiliation, and intimidation are forms of emotional abuse that cause severe psychological harm. Signs of emotional distress include:

• Sudden changes in personality, including withdrawal or agitation;
• Fear of staff members or reluctance to speak in their presence; and
• Depression or signs of emotional trauma, such as rocking or mumbling.

Approximately 10 percent of elderly individuals will experience psychological, financial, physical, or sexual abuse or neglect. If a loved one exhibits signs of distress, investigate further and take action.

Financial Exploitation

Elderly residents often depend on staff members for financial management, creating opportunities for exploitation. Common indicators of financial abuse include:

• Unauthorized withdrawals or unexplained charges on financial accounts;
• Missing personal belongings or valuables and
• Changes in wills, deeds, or power of attorney documents without family involvement.

If you notice suspicious financial activity, contact an attorney immediately. Financial exploitation often goes undetected for months, leaving victims drained of their savings.

What If the Victim Is a Friend, Not a Family Member?

South Carolina law allows concerned individuals—not just immediate family—to report abuse and file complaints on behalf of victims. If a close friend is suffering in a nursing home, you do not need to be a legal guardian or blood relative to take action. Elderly residents are often isolated from family members, and in some cases, friends or community members may be the only people who notice signs of neglect or mistreatment.

If you suspect abuse, you can:

• Report concerns to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), which oversees nursing home regulations and investigates violations of care standards; 
• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which investigates more than 8,000 complaints each year related to neglect, abuse, and mistreatment in long-term care facilities; and
• Speak with an attorney about legal options, especially if the victim lacks family support or is unable to advocate for themselves.

Even if you are not a legal guardian or blood relative, you may still have standing to take legal action, depending on the circumstances. Acting as a concerned friend may be the only way to protect someone from further harm and ensure they receive the care and dignity they deserve.

What If Your Loved One Was Combative?

Nursing homes sometimes justify injuries by blaming residents. If a loved one was combative due to dementia, mental illness, or confusion, staff members may claim that force was necessary. However, this is not a valid excuse for harm.

Even if residents have difficulty cooperating with staff, they still have the right to safe, appropriate care. Facilities must:

• Follow de-escalation procedures rather than using force.
• Have trained staff who can handle difficult situations without resorting to abuse; and
• Use appropriate medical and psychological interventions to prevent unnecessary injuries.

If a facility claims that physical harm was the result of a combative resident, an attorney can investigate whether excessive force was used and hold the nursing home accountable.

How to Prove Nursing Home Abuse in South Carolina

Filing a nursing home abuse claim requires strong evidence. Facilities often deny wrongdoing, making it essential to collect detailed proof that supports the victim’s case. The more documentation and witness accounts available, the stronger the claim will be.

Medical Records and Expert Testimony

A victim’s medical history and treatment records can help confirm injuries, malnutrition, or medical neglect. Independent medical experts may testify to establish how the injuries occurred and whether poor care contributed to the harm. Additionally, physicians specializing in geriatric medicine can provide professional insight into whether a facility failed to meet acceptable standards of care. If a resident suffers from bedsores, untreated infections, or dehydration, medical experts can explain how these conditions typically arise from neglect rather than natural aging.

Witness Statements and Surveillance Footage

If other residents, staff members, or visitors witnessed abuse, their testimony can support a claim. Some facilities have security cameras, and footage may reveal instances of physical harm, neglect, or suspicious activity. Even when surveillance video is unavailable, phone records, text messages, or emails from staff members discussing poor conditions may serve as valuable evidence. Family members who document concerns in writing—such as keeping a log of missed medications, unexplained bruises, or erratic behavior—can also provide key proof.

Facility Inspection Reports and Prior Complaints

A history of violations or complaints strengthens a case against a negligent nursing home. South Carolina facilities must meet state and federal safety regulations, and past failures can indicate ongoing neglect. According to federal data, more than a third of South Carolina’s nursing homes score below or much below average in staff-to-resident ratios, an issue often linked to poor care and increased risk of abuse. If a facility has been cited for understaffing, sanitation issues, or medical negligence, this information can demonstrate a pattern of misconduct.

The Importance of Gathering Strong Evidence

Building a solid case against a negligent nursing home requires medical proof, eyewitness testimony, and institutional records. Nursing homes often aggressively fight liability claims, making it critical to have an experienced legal team review the evidence and present a compelling argument for compensation. If you suspect that a loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect, gathering evidence early can make all the difference in securing justice.

Holding Negligent Nursing Homes Accountable

Filing a claim against a nursing home is not easy. Facilities often deny wrongdoing, destroy records, or pressure families into quick settlements to avoid liability. Without an attorney, victims and their families risk receiving far less than they deserve or even having their cases dismissed due to a lack of proper evidence or procedural errors.

Nursing home corporations employ aggressive legal teams to defend against claims of abuse and neglect. They may argue that a resident’s injuries were self-inflicted, caused by pre-existing medical conditions, or an unavoidable part of aging. Some facilities even alter medical records to remove evidence of neglect. These tactics make it extremely difficult for families to hold them accountable without experienced legal representation.

An attorney can gather medical records and subpoena facility documents, interview staff members, and work with medical experts to build a strong case. Nursing home residents deserve dignity, respect, and proper care, and legal action may be the only way to force facilities to take responsibility for their failures. If your loved one has suffered harm, securing legal counsel is the most effective way to protect their rights and pursue full compensation.

Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse Victims

Victims of nursing home abuse and neglect may be entitled to significant financial compensation to cover the physical, emotional, and financial toll of their suffering. The costs of medical treatment, ongoing care, and emotional distress can be overwhelming, making economic recovery critical for both the victim and their family.

Types of Compensation Available

If a nursing home fails to protect your loved one, financial recovery can help cover the cost of medical treatment, long-term care, and emotional healing.

• Medical Expenses. Victims may require emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment for injuries sustained due to abuse or neglect. This can include the cost of physical therapy, psychological counseling, medication, and assistive devices necessary for recovery.
• Pain and Suffering. The emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, and diminished quality of life caused by nursing home abuse can have lasting consequences. Compensation accounts for both physical pain and emotional trauma, particularly in cases where the victim suffers from humiliation, fear, or a loss of dignity due to mistreatment.
• Wrongful Death. When abuse or neglect results in the untimely death of a resident, families may recover damages for funeral costs, burial expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering. Wrongful death claims also hold nursing homes accountable for failing to protect residents, helping to prevent future tragedies.
• Punitive Damages. In cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional abuse, courts may award punitive damages to punish the facility and deter similar conduct in the future.

Nursing home corporations and insurers often attempt to minimize claims, offering low settlements that do not fully reflect the extent of the damage. A legal advocate ensures that victims and their families receive fair compensation for their suffering, and those responsible are held accountable for their negligence.

Speak with a North Charleston Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today

No nursing home resident should suffer mistreatment, neglect, or abuse. If your loved one has been harmed in a North Charleston facility, you have the right to demand justice. At Steinberg Law Firm, our experienced attorneys fight for the dignity and well-being of elderly residents, holding negligent nursing homes accountable. 

With extensive experience and a proven track record in South Carolina, we are prepared to investigate your case, gather critical evidence, and pursue the full compensation your family deserves. Don’t let a facility get away with harming someone you love. Call Steinberg Law Firm today at 843-720-2800 for a free consultation and take the first step toward justice.