Columbia Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

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Mr. McCravy and his staff were exceptional when handling my case. They were very compassionate and helpful through a very difficult time. His Paralegal Angie made sure was constantly in loop. She stayed in top of every detail in my case ensuring I was taken care of. If I ever needed an attorney again I would call Mr. McCravy and his staff without hesitation!
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A car came through a stop sign and ran into the side of my Jeep. McCravy Law Firm helped deal with the insurance company and get my car fixed. They also helped me with another accident claim even though the driver didnโ€™t have insurance. If you were in an accident, this is the best place to call and get someone to represent you. The people are great, and theyโ€™re fair. Everyone in the office was sweet. Iโ€™d recommend them to anybody. Theyโ€™ll take care of what you need, and they donโ€™t take long.
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Timothy Clardy represented me for Social Security Disability. I could not have asked for a more confident and determined attorney. Mr. Clardy exuded professionalism. His determination to win my case is greatly appreciated as I started receiving SSD in May 2020. Thank you all so much for your service. Zana Powell
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Mr.Clardy was amazing in sticking to facts related to my case. His compassion and dedication shows he cares genuinely about his clients. He will do all he can to help you . Very professional and as I said will work for you the client.
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When I sustained an injury to my head, I saw some Emergency Room physicians but wasnโ€™t seeing the results I needed. My dad recommended the McCravy Law Firm. They jumped right on the case and said Iโ€™d get the care and treatment I needed. Everyone in the office was always helpful. Mr. Newlon and Mr. Sturkie were in my corner the whole time. They were able to reach a great negotiation in my favor, and we settled the case. Everything was taken care of on my medical end. Within a couple weeks of our negotiations, I received the final settlement. Now that theyโ€™ve helped me get the medical treatment I needed, Iโ€™ve been on the road to a great recovery.
Rhonda Grimes
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My arm was broken when a door slammed close during a storm. I just want to express the compassion and love I felt from the office staff. I was having such a hard time just trying to use my arm again. They were so wonderful, compassionate, and kind that it really touched my heart. They treated me like a human being and understood the pain I was going through. I would recommend this law firm to anyone and everyone whose had a personal injury.
Vicki Davix
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I was injured after being rear ended in a car accident after dropping my son off at work. I had nightmares seeing the accident again. Even though it was a trying time for me, I still contacted the McCravy Law Firm office. I couldnโ€™t have asked for anyone better than those who helped me out. I trust them. They never put me off. I would recommend this office to anyone who needs a lawyer. I was pleased with how everything turned out for me.
Olivia Cox
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I fell 7 feet off a ladder and got spine damage. I lost my 42-year career and the certainty of my future. I would go from being worried to feeling really good about everything. The McCravy Law Firm, I couldnโ€™t say enough good about them. It was a trying time for me, and they were just fantastic all the way through. Iโ€™ve recommended McCravy to a few of my friends. I told them not to go anywhere else.
Ray Graham
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Medicareโ€™s website has 18 nursing homes in Columbia rated from one to five stars regarding their staffing ratios, health inspections, and quality of resident care. While Medicareโ€™s ratings are a good indication of whether your loved one will receive the care and support they need in a long-term care facility, abuse and neglect can happen anywhere, sadly. There are many causes of nursing home abuse and neglect, but they are all inexcusable. Nursing homes, and the staff members who work within them, can be held liable when abuse and neglect occur. Our Columbia nursing home abuse attorney can help you do it.

What is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse occurs when a staff member, medical worker, or administrator of a facility willfully inflicts injury, intimidation, unreasonable confinement, or punishment that results in physical harm or mental distress. When many people first think of nursing home abuse, they often think of bodily harm such as pulling, pushing, hitting, or pinching. While this is one type of abuse, there are others, as well.

Of all the different types of nursing home abuse, emotional abuse is the most common. Emotional abuse occurs when a worker in a nursing home belittles a resident, isolates them from social activities, prevents them from seeing friends and family, or otherwise intentionally harms the emotional well-being of a resident. Sexual abuse, abandonment, and financial exploitation are other types of nursing home abuse. Financial exploitation occurs when a staff member in a nursing home manipulates a resident into signing certain legal documents, such as a power of attorney or a will, or when staff members directly steal a residentโ€™s possessions.

Neglect differs slightly from abuse. Neglect is not intentional but still results in residents not obtaining the proper care and support they need. Choking, malnutrition, and wandering are a few types of neglect. Even though neglect is not intentional, nursing homes must be held liable for it, as it can result in very serious harm.

Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Happen?

Sadly, there are many reasons nursing home abuse happens. Nursing homes exist to provide individuals in one of societyโ€™s most vulnerable sectors, the elderly, with the care and support they need. Still, nursing homes are businesses and they often want to reduce their overall costs and increase their profits. One of the ways they do this is by not staffing a sufficient number of workers to care for the residents in the facility.

When nursing homes are understaffed, there are simply not enough people to look after all of the residents at the facility. Only residents with the most urgent needs may be tended to, while others still suffer harm but do not receive care. Understaffing also places an additional burden on the available staff members. They often feel overworked, overwhelmed, and stressed from having to do the job of more than one person. This can also contribute to nursing home abuse.

Sometimes, staff members in nursing homes are simply not committed to their jobs. They are sometimes unable to cope with the stress of their job and feel overworked. They cannot handle the stress of the environment. These nursing home employees may overmedicate residents in their care not for medical reasons, but to make the resident easier to manage. These workers may also leave residents immobile or isolated for long periods of time, or neglect to ensure their daily needs are met, such as proper hygiene, health care, and nutrition. When these workers become frustrated, they may also use restraints, physically assault residents, or withhold water as a form of punishment.

Again, while there are many reasons why nursing home abuse and neglect happen, there is no excuse for it. Nursing home staff members and administrators must be held liable for any wrongdoing that causes residents harm. This is the only way to ensure it will not happen again, and that injured nursing home residents receive the compensation they are entitled to for someone elseโ€™s wrongdoing.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

It is critical that loved ones know how to spot the signs of nursing home abuse, so they can stop it from happening and ensure their family member receives the proper care they need. The most common signs of nursing home abuse are as follows:

  • Unexplained injuries: Physical injuries are one of the most common signs of nursing home abuse. If your loved one suddenly has cuts, excessive bruising, bed sores, or other physical injuries, speak to a staff member or administrator of the nursing home. If the injuries cannot be explained, or the explanation seems suspicious, speak to an attorney about possible nursing home abuse
  • Sudden mood or behavioral changes: Unexplained physical injuries are a common sign of nursing home abuse, but emotional injuries are more common. The best way to identify if your loved one has been harmed emotionally is to look for changes in their mood or behavior. If they are suddenly withdrawn, no longer interested in activities they once loved, or seem embarrassed or depressed, it could be a sign of nursing home abuse
  • Dehydration or malnutrition: One of the biggest signs that your loved one is not being cared for properly is malnutrition or dehydration. Signs of these include sudden weight loss, swollen tongue, dry mouth, and cracked lips or skin
  • Changes in finances or estate plans: Financial exploitation is becoming more common in nursing homes. If you notice sudden withdrawals from your loved oneโ€™s bank account or unusual changes in their estate plan, these could be signs of financial abuse

Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Columbia Can Help Your Family

Nursing home abuse is never acceptable. If your loved one has been harmed by the very people entrusted to provide the care and support they need, you do have legal options. At McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie, & Clardy, our Columbia nursing home abuse attorneys can explain what those are and help your loved one obtain the compensation they need for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Call us now at 866-MCCRAVY to schedule a free legal consultation and to learn more about how we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer?

The best way to know if you need a lawyer is to ask. If you have injuries that you received medical attention for, itโ€™s worth having a legal consultation. Your consultation is where you can decide if you want to hire a lawyer. Weโ€™ll explain the pros and cons and how a lawyer may help you

How much is my case worth?

Case values vary. Your losses and the strength of the legal case are the primary factors. The ability to collect compensation is important, too. There are things you can do to maximize the value of your case. Our lawyers can help.

Will my case settle?

Most cases settle. Building a strong case and negotiating effectively can help you reach a settlement. Weโ€™ll evaluate your case and the factors that make a case likely to settle. When we represent you, weโ€™ll work towards your goals. That includes a settlement, if you choose.

What happens if I have to file a lawsuit?

Sometimes, you must file a lawsuit to get the compensation you deserve. Even most cases that are filed still result in settlement. Filing the case makes the defense respond and it moves the claim forward. As your lawyer, we take care of the filing documents and legal procedure.

Should I speak with the insurance company before hiring a lawyer?

No. The insurance company can use your statements against you. They may try to confuse you or pressure you to accept a low offer. This is true even if you havenโ€™t hired a lawyer yet. We can start representing you as soon as you sign up. Then, we speak to the insurance company for you.

Should I allow an insurance company access to my medical records?

Insurance companies like broad disclosures of medical records. Theyโ€™re looking for things that might embarrass you or things they can use to minimize compensation, like pre-existing conditions. Our lawyers can help you respond to a request for medical records.

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