When you trust a nursing home to care for your loved one, you expect them to be safe, clean, and treated with dignity. Discovering signs that something is wrong can be heartbreaking and overwhelming. You might not be sure whether what you’re seeing is neglect, and you may not know what to do next. If you suspect your family member is being neglected in a South Carolina nursing facility, you have options and don’t have to figure them out alone. Contact Krause Law for a consultation to discuss your concerns with Attorney Steven M. Krause.

What Counts as Nursing Home Neglect Under South Carolina Law

South Carolina takes the mistreatment of vulnerable adults seriously. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 43-35-10, “neglect” is defined as the caregiver’s failure or omission to provide the care, goods, or services necessary to maintain the health or safety of a vulnerable adult, including food, clothing, medicine, shelter, supervision, and medical services, when that failure has caused or presents a substantial risk of causing physical or mental injury.

Understanding the difference between neglect and abuse matters. Neglect typically involves a failure to act, such as forgetting to administer medications or failing to provide adequate nutrition. Physical abuse, by contrast, means intentionally inflicting or allowing to be inflicted physical injury on a vulnerable adult by an act or failure to act. Both can be grounds for legal action.

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect in South Carolina

Neglect isn’t always obvious. It can develop gradually, making it harder to recognize. Here’s what to watch for.

Physical signs

These are often the first indicators that something is wrong.

Unexplained weight loss or signs of dehydration
Bedsores (pressure ulcers), especially in advanced stages
Poor hygiene, including unwashed hair, soiled clothing, or body odor
Frequent infections, particularly urinary tract infections
Untreated or poorly managed injuries

Emotional and behavioral signs

Changes in your loved one’s personality or behavior can signal neglect.

Withdrawal from activities they previously enjoyed
Fearfulness around certain staff members
Depression, anxiety, or unusual agitation
Sudden changes in mood or behavior with no medical explanation

Environmental signs

The facility itself may reveal problems.

Unsanitary living conditions, dirty linens, or unclean rooms
Visible understaffing during your visits
Lack of basic supplies, such as toiletries or clean bedding
Strong odors throughout the facility

If you’re noticing any of these signs, don’t dismiss your instincts. Call 864-225-4000 to speak with Attorney Steven M. Krause about your situation.

What To Do if You Suspect Neglect

Acting quickly can protect your loved one and strengthen any potential legal claim.

Document everything. Take photos of injuries, living conditions, and anything that concerns you. Write down dates, times, and the names of staff members involved.
Report it. In South Carolina, you can report suspected neglect to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) or Adult Protective Services through the Department of Social Services. Investigative entities in South Carolina include the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and the Adult Protective Services Program within the Department of Social Services.
Contact an attorney. An experienced nursing home neglect lawyer in South Carolina can evaluate your situation, advise you on your legal rights, and help hold the facility accountable.

Who Can Be Held Liable, and What Damages Can You Recover

Multiple parties may bear responsibility for your loved one’s neglect. The nursing home facility, its ownership group, individual staff members, and management companies can all potentially be held liable when neglect causes harm.

When neglect escalates to a lawsuit, families may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and, in wrongful death cases, funeral costs and loss of companionship. South Carolina law may also allow punitive damages in cases involving particularly reckless or egregious conduct.

It’s critical to act within the legal deadline. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530, South Carolina applies a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury actions. Waiting too long could mean losing your right to pursue a claim entirely.

How Attorney Steven M. Krause Can Help Your Family

Discovering that a nursing home has neglected your loved one is painful. You shouldn’t have to navigate the legal process on top of everything else. When you work with The Law Office of Steven M. Krause P.A., you work directly with Attorney Krause. You won’t be passed off to assistants or paralegals for important matters. That personal attention makes a difference when your family is facing something this difficult.

Attorney Steven M. Krause is committed to helping families in Anderson and throughout Upstate South Carolina hold negligent facilities accountable. Whether you’re still gathering information or you’re ready to take legal action, Krause Law is here to help.

Contact us at 864-225-4000 today to discuss your case. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you can protect your loved one and your family’s rights.