What are Nursing Homes Liable For

If you or a loved one was injured while in a South Carolina nursing home, you're likely asking, "Can I sue the nursing home for what they did?" In South Carolina, nursing homes can be liable for a litany of wrongdoings.

The ultimate questions attorney Andrew Littlejohn Johnson asks at the beginning of each case are: (1) which employee was the bad actor, (2) what was the bad action, and (3) what was the underlying reason for the facility allowing the bad act to happen. This is important because (1) different legal standards apply to different professionals, (2) the severity of the wrongdoing helps determine liability, and (3) getting to the source of the problem helps protect other nursing home residents.

Who Can be Liable for Nursing Home Injuries

In South Carolina, a company can be liable for their employee's bad actions. This can come in many forms. In these situations, it is presumed that the employee was acting within the scope of his/her employment and, therefore, the facility is responsible for the individual's conduct. With nursing home cases, typically, we see the following reasons for the facility's liability for the employee's conduct:

1. negligent hiring

2. negligent retention

3. negligent supervision and/or monitoring

Additionally, the South Carolina assisted living facility may be responsible for understaffing, failing to provide necessary resources for residents (e.g., clean water, livable temperatures, etc.), and failing to institute proper procedures. This final form of liability typically shows up through repeated injuries to nursing home patients.

Finally, medical professionals within (and outside of) the nursing home may be liable for medical negligence. Normally, this occurs with improper medication administration, failures to treat, misdiagnoses, and other medical malpractice bases.

What Actions is a Nursing Home Responsible For

The most common causes of action we see in nursing home abuse and neglect cases are:

• Bedsores (pressure ulcers)

• Asphyxiation

• Malnutrition

• Improper Medication

• Unexplained Injuries

• Infections

• Wrongful Death

If your situation involves any of the above points, it is important to learn more about the reasons for the injuries. Most likely, the nursing home understaffed their facility, failed to put resources into caring for your family member, or employed individuals who improperly conducted their jobs. Stopping this from happening again is morally important; obtaining justice for your loved one is personally important.

Experienced South Carolina Nursing Home

Abuse and Neglect Lawyer

If you believe your loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect in South Carolina, the most important step is almost always to protect your loved one. The only time this is not true is if your case involves the wrongful death of someone within a nursing home.

We are available to consult with you confidentially and for free when you are ready. One call could help you obtain justice for your family member, while also ensuring the same problem doesn't recur and injure someone else. Andrew is ready to speak when you are: 803-764-4099.