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Last Modified on Jul 21, 2025
Overmedication is one of the most common signs of nursing home abuse or neglect. However, it can easily go undetected. While families trust nursing homes to provide the care and compassion their loved ones deserve, the scary results of overmedication in North Carolina nursing homes continue to harm families across the state. Proper management of seniors’ medications is imperative to their well-being, and mismanagement can have fatal consequences.
If you suspect your loved one is being overmedicated in a North Carolina nursing home, it’s critical to hire a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible.
Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in North Carolina
For nearly twenty years, Pleasant Law, PLLC, has focused exclusively on severe injury, abuse, and wrongful death claims involving nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and long-term care providers. Our lead attorney, Thomas W. Pleasant, has practiced law for more than 25 years, with the last 15 of them dedicated to assisting victims of nursing home abuse.
With over $30 million recovered for injured residents and their families, our firm has taken on some of the country’s largest healthcare corporations in civil court. Overmedication is a horrifying form of abuse in nursing homes, and we are committed to holding negligent facilities accountable for their harmful actions.
Looking at Overmedication Statistics
In North Carolina, there were 425 federally certified nursing homes holding over 44,000 beds for residents as of 2023. From 2019 to 2023, these nursing homes received $9.36 billion in Medicaid funds. Yet, elders in these facilities experienced a staggering amount of abuse. Despite it being a legal requirement, the North Carolina Department’s Division of Health Service Regulation did not conduct its inspections for 289 nursing homes in a timely manner between 2021 and 2023.
These inspections are meant to occur once every 15 months and are designed to evaluate facilities and identify any signs of abuse or neglect. This statistic is not only terrifying for those with loved ones in nursing homes, but infuriating when you see these government agencies failing your family.
Why Does Overmedication Occur in Nursing Homes?
Overmedication in nursing homes can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Lack of Proper Training. Some caregivers don’t fully understand the side effects or risks of the medications they administer. Without clear training and guidance, they might administer the wrong dosage or mix up prescriptions. Unfortunately, this can have long-term or even fatal consequences.
- Poor Communication or Recordkeeping. If one employee doesn’t properly record what they administered to a patient during their shift, the next shift might accidentally overmedicate a resident.
- Intentional Abuse. Overmedication often occurs to lessen the staff’s workload or suppress a resident’s behavioral symptoms. This is illegal and a blatant form of abuse.
If you suspect your loved one is being overmedicated, talk to our medication error lawyer team at Pleasant Law, PLLC right away—we’ll help you gather evidence and hold negligent facilities accountable.
During 2021-2023, North Carolina inspectors found that the medication error rate in state nursing homes was over 15%. Because of how delayed inspections were during this time period, it’s reasonable to assume that this percentage is actually much higher.
Why You Should Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in North Carolina
Seniors are human beings with rights that should always be respected. If you believe your loved one is being overmedicated or abused in some other way in a North Carolina nursing home, do not wait to hire a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer. At Pleasant Law, PLLC, we thoroughly investigate each claim by:
- Reviewing medical records
- Interviewing witnesses
- Obtaining facility documentation such as staff schedules, medication logs, and any written care plans
- Investigating prior regulatory violations, patterns of misconduct, and understaffing data that may point to systemic neglect
We often find that low staffing levels are the driving cause behind many abuse and neglect cases. Facilities sometimes rely on medications to sedate residents, particularly those with dementia. These drugs may be administered without medical need or consent, which violates North Carolina and federal regulations.
Our firm understands the severity of this type of abuse and the devastating impact it can have on your entire family. Our team remains accessible to clients throughout their case and works closely with families to gather and protect critical evidence. You can trust our team to fight for your loved one and their well-being.
FAQs
What Are the Physical Symptoms of Being Overmedicated in a Nursing Home?
The long-term impacts of overmedication can be severe, especially for the elderly. Depending on the type of medication involved, long-term administration can eventually lead to falls, fractures, and dangerous blood pressure levels. It can also cause heart attacks, strokes, or even damage to the kidneys and liver. In severe cases, medications like opioids or sedatives may lead to respiratory failure. Over time, cognitive decline or drug-induced dementia may also develop.
How Do You Identify If Your Loved One Is Overmedicated in a Nursing Home?
It can be difficult to spot overmedication, especially if your loved one was already experiencing a decline in their cognitive or physical abilities. Be aware of changes such as sudden health declines, increased hospital visits, or shifts in behavior. A resident who was once alert might become withdrawn, depressed, or quiet. They may suddenly lack the ability to move or think like they used to.
How Do I Prove Overmedication in a North Carolina Nursing Home?
To prove overmedication in a North Carolina nursing home, it’s essential to collect as many records of the abuse as possible. After getting copies of the resident’s medical records and medication logs, take photos or videos of the resident’s physical condition, such as bruises or signs of confusion. Keep a written log of changes in behavior, staff interactions, and medication concerns. Pleasant Law, PLLC, can help review and organize this evidence.
When Should You Hire a Nursing Home Lawyer in North Carolina?
If you suspect your elderly loved one is being overmedicated, abused, or neglected in another way, do not wait to hire an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer. In North Carolina, a civil claim must generally be filed within three years of the date of the injury. Missing this deadline may result in your case being dismissed, and working with an attorney can help you build a strong case efficiently.
Trusted Legal Aid for Elder Abuse in North Carolina
Every nursing home in North Carolina is required to follow both state and federal care standards. Misuse or mismanagement of a resident’s medication is a serious offense that should not go unpunished. If you suspect your loved one has been overmedicated, Pleasant Law, PLLC, is ready to review your case. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
