Abuse and neglect in nursing homes can bring severe consequences and complications for both residents and their families. An Arbutus nursing home abuse and neglect attorney at Brown & Barron can help you recover compensation for the resulting damages.
Submit Your Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Complaint on Time
Filing your nursing home abuse case on time is very important to obtaining compensation.
Maryland law outlines a statute of limitations for medical malpractice under Maryland Courts & Judicial Proceedings Code Section 5-109. This statute gives you five years to sue from the date of the incident or three years from the date of discovery, whichever is earlier.
The statute of limitations may vary in every state, which is why you should confirm the time you have left to file a lawsuit with a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney on our team.
Get in touch with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Arbutus, (410) 547-0202 for a free case evaluation.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes?
According to theNational Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), abuse and neglect can take many forms and significantly affect the lives and stability of the people suffering it.
You should be aware of the types of cases that can involve abuse, such as:
- Physical abuse: This abuse may include inflicting injuries or pain on another person.
- Psychological abuse: It is related to emotional aggressions that may produce distress, discomfort, or trauma in the person.
- Sexual abuse: This type of abuse includes any sexual act made without the person’s consent.
- Neglect: It may be related to medical attention, hygiene, physical attention, or emotional caring in the residents due to lack of proper care.
If your case involves one or more of these types of abuse or neglect, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the responsible party and get proper compensation to restore your family member’s well-being.
Contact our offices today for a free initial consultation with our Arbutus, MD nursing home abuse lawyer.
What Are the Reasons for Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes?
The liability of every nursing home in cases of abuse or negligence may be related to the quality of their staff, caring protocols and training, facilities, and budget. There are some times in which even a bad administration could lead to these cases.
Abuse and neglect are commonly a result of the following reasons:
- Poor or unqualified staff members that don’t have proper training
- Facilities that don’t reach the appropriate level of care for private nursing homes
- Poor equipment or maintenance in general or bad hiring practices
How Can You Identify Signs of Abuse or Neglect in Your Family Member?
Sometimes, it is difficult for an older person to communicate their discomforts or problems, as they could be overwhelmed or have a difficult time communicating, especially if they have a physical or mental disability.
As the person responsible for ensuring their safety and well-being, you may want to be alert for the following signs:
- General pain, discomfort, anxiety, nervousness, or distress
- Marks of bruises, cuts, sores, or any other laceration
- Broken bones
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Unkempt appearance, including hygiene and clothing
- Lethargic states or insomnia
- Unclear medical records
- Dirty or unattended facilities
What Can You Do in Case of Finding Abuse or Neglect in Nursing Homes?
Once you realize some abuse or negligence was committed against your loved one, you should prepare to submit a complaint or lawsuit against the nursing home or staff member responsible for it.
Not submitting a proper complaint or lawsuit could lead to more complications if the conditions are severe. It would help if you always consider that sometimes you can only take civil actions for your case; however, occasionally, criminal law may apply as well.
To know which laws may be related to your case, you may want to consult and get advice from a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney on our team.
Ways a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Assist You
You should spend time with your loved one and help them make arrangements to move to another facility. Leave filing a case for compensation to our team.
We will assume different responsibilities, such as:
- Gathering evidence
- Calculating your damages
- Negotiating an appropriate settlement
- Handling communication with other parties
- Taking your case to court if necessary
Our lawyers will represent you on contingency, so you won’t pay us anything unless and until we secure compensation for you.
Call Brown & Barron for a Free Consultation Today
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse cases are prevalent in the U.S., and many people may choose to hire nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers for assistance with pursuing justice. If you live in Arbutus, Maryland, and need legal help, Brown & Barron is ready to get to work for you.
Contact Brown & Barron online today to schedule a free case review with a with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Arbutus.
Damages You Can Recover in a Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Case
You and your family may be entitled to recover various damages, such as:
- Medical bills for past and future care
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage or loss
- Housing and residential fees
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
If your loved one passed away from the abuse or neglect, you could go after wrongful death damages.
How Can You Avoid Falling Into a Nursing Home Abuse Case?
There are some measures you can take into account before putting your loved one in a nursing home.
Every nursing home should have qualified staff, a level of adequate conditions, and ensure the safety and well-being of their residents.Before admitting your family member to a nursing home, you must verify the following:
- The history and current situation of the facility
- The procedures to hire staff and caregivers
- The care plan available for health, maintenance, nutrition, etc.
Every action you take will result in extra protection for your family. By doing so, you can rest assured of the safe conditions your loved one is living in and prevent any kind of possible nursing home abuse.