Columbia Nursing Home Malnutrition Lawyer

Serving Victims of Nursing Home Neglect Across Columbia, SC

Malnutrition is one of the most serious and preventable forms of neglect in nursing homes. When elderly residents don’t receive proper nutrition and hydration, their health can decline rapidly—leading to infections, weakness, hospitalization, and even death. Families trust nursing homes to care for their loved ones, not to put them at risk through inattention or neglect.

If your loved one has suffered from malnutrition or dehydration in a nursing home, Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC can help. Our Columbia nursing home malnutrition attorneys investigate neglect cases, hold facilities accountable, and pursue justice for affected families throughout South Carolina.

Reach out for a free and confidential consultation—there’s no obligation, just a helpful conversation focused on your loved one’s safety and your questions. 

What Is Malnutrition?

Malnutrition occurs when a person does not receive the proper nutrients, vitamins, and calories necessary for their body to function. This can happen from inadequate food intake, unbalanced meals, or the body’s inability to absorb nutrients due to illness or medication.

In nursing homes, malnutrition is almost always preventable. Staff members are required by law and professional standards to ensure each resident receives appropriate meals that meet their dietary and medical needs. When a nursing home fails to monitor food intake, address swallowing or chewing difficulties, or ensure residents eat regularly, malnutrition can result—and the consequences can be devastating.

Common effects of malnutrition include:

• Rapid or unexplained weight loss
• Muscle weakness and fatigue
• Decreased immunity and frequent infections
• Cognitive decline or confusion
• Worsening of chronic conditions
• Increased risk of falls and fractures

Left untreated, malnutrition can lead to life-threatening complications or death.

Signs of Malnutrition

Family members are often the first to notice something is wrong. Subtle changes in your loved one’s appearance or behavior could signal neglect. Warning signs of malnutrition in nursing homes include:

• Noticeable weight loss or loose-fitting clothing
• Dry, pale, or thinning skin
• Brittle hair or hair loss
• Swelling in the legs or feet (edema)
• Fatigue, lethargy, or sudden mood changes
• Bedsores or slow-healing wounds
• Frequent illnesses or infections
• Dehydration symptoms (dry mouth, confusion, dizziness)

If you see these symptoms, report them immediately to nursing home administrators and request a medical evaluation. You should also contact an experienced Columbia nursing home malnutrition lawyer at Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC to discuss your legal options. Neglect that leads to malnutrition is a serious violation of care standards and may justify a lawsuit for damages.

Common Causes of Malnutrition in Nursing Homes

Malnutrition in elder care facilities is almost always the result of negligence. While some medical conditions can contribute to poor appetite or nutrient absorption, nursing home staff are trained to recognize and manage these risks. Unfortunately, many facilities fail to provide adequate care due to the following issues:

• Understaffing: Many nursing homes in South Carolina operate with too few employees to properly monitor every resident’s meals and hydration. When caregivers are overworked, meal assistance, monitoring, and recordkeeping often suffer.
• Lack of Supervision During Meals: Residents with dementia, Parkinson’s, or swallowing difficulties often need help eating. If they’re left unattended, they may skip meals or choke.
• Poor Food Quality or Limited Choices: Meals that lack nutritional balance or variety can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Some facilities cut costs by serving cheap, low-quality food.
• Failure to Monitor Weight or Dietary Needs: Nursing homes are required to regularly track residents’ weight and adjust meals to meet medical needs (such as low-sodium or diabetic diets). Ignoring these requirements can cause rapid health decline.
• Neglecting Medical Conditions or Medications: Certain medications and illnesses affect appetite or digestion. Nursing staff should communicate with physicians and dietitians to adapt meal plans accordingly.

When these duties are neglected, the facility may be held legally responsible for the resulting harm. Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC investigates these cases thoroughly to uncover evidence of systemic neglect and pursue justice for victims.

How Nursing Home Staff Should Prevent & Manage Malnutrition

Nursing homes have a duty to maintain residents’ health through proper nutrition and hydration. Federal and South Carolina regulations require facilities to:

• Conduct initial and ongoing nutritional assessments
• Track residents’ weight and body mass index (BMI)
• Provide meals that meet dietary and medical needs
• Assist residents who have trouble eating or drinking
• Record daily meal intake and address refusals
• Ensure adequate hydration throughout the day
• Communicate with dietitians and healthcare providers

When staff follow these protocols, malnutrition is preventable. When they don’t, residents can suffer life-altering consequences.

If your loved one’s facility failed to take these basic steps, it may be liable for negligence. Our team can gather medical records, interview witnesses, and review staffing logs to prove neglect and demand full compensation.

Compensation for Nursing Home Malnutrition

Families of malnourished nursing home residents may be entitled to financial recovery for:

• Medical expenses related to malnutrition
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Rehabilitation or relocation costs
• Wrongful death damages (if the neglect leads to death)

Nursing homes must be held accountable not just for one resident’s suffering, but also to prevent future neglect of others. Legal action can help force facilities to improve staffing, training, and care practices.

Malnutrition FAQs

How common is malnutrition in nursing homes?

Studies suggest that up to 40–50% of nursing home residents nationwide experience some form of malnutrition or dehydration. Most cases are preventable with proper supervision and individualized care.

Can a nursing home be sued for malnutrition?

Yes. If a facility fails to provide adequate nutrition or medical oversight and a resident suffers harm, the nursing home may be liable for neglect under South Carolina law.

What should I do if I suspect malnutrition?

Document everything—photographs, weight changes, medical reports—and report your concerns to facility management. Then, contact Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC to discuss your legal options and ensure your loved one’s rights are protected.

Is dehydration the same as malnutrition?

Not exactly, but they often occur together. Dehydration results from a lack of fluids, while malnutrition is due to insufficient nutrients. Both can cause severe complications in elderly residents.

Contact a Columbia Nursing Home Malnutrition Lawyer

If your loved one has suffered due to malnutrition, dehydration, or any form of nursing home neglect, you do not have to face it alone. Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC fights for families throughout Columbia and across South Carolina to ensure negligent facilities are held accountable.

Call (803) 599-2207 to connect with a caring nursing home malnutrition attorney in Columbia who is committed to supporting your family at every stage.