Raleigh Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Raleigh Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Families trust nursing homes in Raleigh to care for their loved ones when they can no longer do so on their own. Unfortunately, facilities often fail to provide the proper care required by North Carolina law. If you suspect any level of abuse or neglect of your loved one, contacting a skilled Raleigh nursing home abuse lawyer is a vital next step.

Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Raleigh

Pleasant Law, PLLC is a civil litigation firm that handles nursing home injury and wrongful death claims across North Carolina and Georgia. We handle a range of nursing home abuse cases, usually overseen by the Wake County Superior Court, located at 316 Fayetteville Street. These cases include:

• Bedsores and pressure ulcers
• Falls and fractures caused by unsafe conditions
• Infections due to a lack of care
• Dehydration and malnutrition injuries
• Overmedication or medication errors
• Wrongful death

Attorney Thomas W. Pleasant has over 25 years of legal experience, focusing his practice on catastrophic injury cases involving nursing homes. It’s critical to hire a nursing home abuse lawyer if you suspect elder abuse. We offer free consultations to victims and their families.

The Reality of Nursing Home Abuse in North Carolina

Chapter 131E of the North Carolina General Statutes outlines specific rights of nursing home residents, including protection from physical and emotional harm. However, because of systemic issues, abuse and neglect are common amongst the elderly.

In North Carolina, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is responsible for conducting regular inspections of nursing homes to identify instances of abuse or neglect. Out of the 425 nursing homes in the state, 289 were late on their inspections between 2021 and 2023. Delays in required inspections make it harder to identify and address unsafe conditions—state inspections in North Carolina nursing homes can reveal neglect.

Staff shortages and lack of oversight remain persistent concerns. Many families end up acting as the only line of defense against neglect, especially when official channels are overwhelmed. Nursing home abuse statistics in North Carolina highlight the significant risks facing our most vulnerable loved ones.
As of 2023, one in six North Carolinians is 65 years or older. Families are meant to be able to rely on government programs to protect the safety of their loved ones, but because of widespread staff shortages, families are often the only line of defense in detecting abuse or neglect. For Raleigh families researching nursing homes for their loved one, there are a few places to avoid:

• Universal Health Care in North Raleigh, located at 5201 Clarks Fork Drive, has a long history of serious problems. Health inspectors have found that the facility poses an immediate danger and actual harm to residents during multiple inspections. Over 95% of residents at this facility require assistance with mobility, yet Universal Health did not provide sufficient trained staff to care for them properly.
• Raleigh Rehabilitation Center, located at 616 Wade Avenue, has been placed on the Nursing Home Abuse Advocate Watchlist due to serious concerns about resident safety. In recent years, certified nurse aides at this facility provided significantly less care time than what professionals consider safe, sometimes as little as 1.78 hours per resident per day, when at least 2.8 hours is needed for basic safety.
• Rex Rehab & Nursing Care Center, located at 4210 Lake Boone Trail, has a history of posing an immediate danger and actual harm to its residents. This facility failed to meet the minimum safe staffing hours recommended by health professionals. In 2022, residents received less than 1 hour of care per day from certified nurse aides.

Signs of Abuse and What to Do Next

Nursing home residents in North Carolina have specific rights under federal and state law. They have the right to dignity, safety, medical care, and privacy. They may choose their doctor, access their records, and help create their care plan. They have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, discrimination, or restraints. Red flags that could indicate abuse can include:

• Unexplained bruises
• Repeated infections
• Dirty clothes or bedding
• Weight loss or dehydration
• Mood swings or fear
• Medication issues, such as the wrong dosage or skipped doses

Abuse is often ongoing and may get worse over time. If you notice any red flags, write them down in detail and contact a lawyer right away. Collecting evidence as soon as possible is critical to your case. Accurate and consistent records are vital—if you’re unsure where to start, documenting nursing home abuse in North Carolina is a key step.

This can include medical records that document untreated wounds or infections, photos of your loved one’s injuries or poor living conditions, and detailed notes you take after every visitation of their behavior and care. Be sure to record the dates, times, and names of the staff involved in care. You can also request facility records, such as care plans and medication logs.

Time to File

You generally have three years to file a nursing home abuse or neglect claim. This time limit is set by N.C. General Statutes § 1-52. This timeline typically begins from the date when the abuse occurred or when you first became aware of it.

For example, if signs of neglect, like untreated injuries or malnutrition, only become obvious later, the deadline may begin at that point. It is crucial to act promptly to preserve evidence and maintain compliance with state law. An experienced lawyer will be able to help you gather evidence in your case and explain the complexities of state laws.

Why Choose Us?

As a longtime North Carolina resident, Mr. Pleasant’s passion is keeping his community safe from systemic neglect and abuse. His clients enjoy the benefits of close contact throughout the entire case. Our results speak for themselves. Mr. Pleasant’s successes include:

• $600,000 settlement for a bedsore wrongful death case in a skilled nursing facility.
• $510,000 settlement involving pressure ulcer, malnutrition, and dehydration.
• $300,000 settlement for a pressure ulcer caused by failure to reposition the resident.

One client, a son of a nursing home dehydration and pressure ulcer victim, said, “Mr. Pleasant is a very good attorney. He did an outstanding job with the evidence that we had. He is very trustworthy and forthcoming. He always kept us informed every step of the way. We would strongly recommend him to anyone.”

Choose a Trusted Elder Abuse Law Firm

If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect in Raleigh, it’s vital to act quickly to ensure the safety of your loved one. Pleasant Law, PLLC has focused experience with North Carolina’s nursing home abuse laws and is ready to help you through the entirety of your case. We represent families in Raleigh and throughout Wake County. To schedule your free consultation, contact our team today.

Raleigh Nursing Home Abuse Resources

How to Tell if Your Loved One is at Risk for Nursing Home Elopement at a NC Facility

Exposing the Worst Nursing Homes in North Carolina | Attorney Advice