Fighting For Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Victims in Maryland
When a loved one reaches a certain age and it is challenging to take care of their needs, one of the best options is to place them in a nursing home. We hope they receive the best possible care in these institutions, but unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Nursing home abuse is common in the United States and, unfortunately, some examples of abuse can cause serious health problems for the elderly, or even death. If you believe your loved one suffered at the hands of nursing home staff, a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney from our firm is here to help you with your case.
Our firm’s nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys are prepared to help you defend your legal rights. Don’t think twice and get justice from the responsible party.
Get in touch with a nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer in Annapolis, 410-547-0202 for a free case evaluation.
How Can You Know If Nursing Home Staff is Abusing Your Loved One?
To determine whether your loved one is being abused by nursing home staff, it is crucial to be on the lookout for any signs of your family member’s mood change or any bodily injuries. However, there could also be many other signs, such as:
- Staff members don’t let you talk to your loved one alone, either in person or on the phone.
- When visiting the nursing home, you can notice that the areas are not clean enough or well maintained.
- Hallways have little or no lighting, creating an unsafe environment for residents.
- Nursing home staff do not provide the necessary care to heal the wounds of their patients, including your loved one.
- Your loved one feels intimidated or has a change in mood when a specific staff member is around.
- There is too little staff to provide a high level of care to all the residents.
There are many other ways to obtain information about the quality of the nursing home services and get evidence to support your suspicions of abuse and neglect, but this is a difficult step. However, if you contact a nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer at Brown & Barron, we can help you get the justice you are looking for.
What Can You Do to Help Your Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney?
If you think your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, you should first find out more about it. If you decide to file a claim or lawsuit without evidence, you could get into trouble.
Here are a series of steps you can take to make sure your suspicions are true:
- Investigate the nursing home: Look for any documents that say whether the facility or staff members had any complaints in the past.
- Talk to residents: If possible, establish conversations with residents and their families. This can give you a better view of the situation if they are also experiencing some abuse.
- Document everything around you: When you see something suspicious in the nursing home, take photos or videos, and make notes of the conditions of the place. Also, if your loved one has injuries, take pictures of them.
- Visit the nursing home regularly and without making an appointment: Nursing homes are big businesses, and they try to convince their clients, or potential clients, that the institution is one of the best in the country. However, if you visit the place without an appointment, you might see the actual conditions they keep their residents in.
- Gather all the information and contact a lawyer: Call a nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer and present all the information you found. They can provide you with legal advice on how to proceed and will be able to take care of your entire case.
The health of our loved ones is essential, and it is something that should not be played with. If you placed an older adult in a nursing home, and it resulted in abuse and neglect, you have the right to file a claim and receive compensation for your damages.
What is the Statute of Limitations For Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Claims in Maryland?
TheStatute of Limitations of the state of Marylandis the one that is in charge of regulating the time limit that a victim has to file a claim for personal injuries or professional malpractice. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible, so that they can help you determine the statute of limitations for your case.
Contact Brown & Barron, LLC online today to schedule a free case review with a nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer in Annapolis.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
The variety of nursing home abuse is wide. To know if the facility staff is abusing your loved one, you need to be aware of many signs, not only physical damages, such as:
- Sexual abuse: This type of abuse occurs when there is physical sexual contact without the resident’s consent. You must be aware of injuries to their body, difficulties sitting down, missing underwear, fear of being touched, and even sexually transmitted diseases.
- Physical abuse: This situation is easier to detect because you can notice specific damage to your loved one’s body, such as bruises, burns, broken bones, scrapes, and more.
- Economic abuse: The person who commits the abuse usually obtains money from the victim with threats and damages. However, if the victim has dementia, it is much easier for the perpetrators to steal their money.
- Psychological abuse: Any verbal abuse, such as threats, insults, or harassment, can cause damage to the mental health of the victim. Depression, anxiety, changes in mood, loss of enjoyment of life, and much more are the typical results of this abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Steps Should I Take If I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?
Prioritize your loved one’s safety, perhaps by relocating them if necessary. Document any signs of abuse, such as unexplained injuries or behavioral changes, and compile evidence through photos, medical records, and eyewitness accounts. Reporting the abuse to Maryland’s Adult Protective Services or the local Ombudsman is essential, as they will investigate the claims. Engaging with a seasoned nursing home abuse attorney will guide you through legal avenues to seek justice and compensation.
How Can Maryland Laws Protect Nursing Home Residents?
Maryland laws enforce strict regulations, ensuring nursing homes uphold residents' safety and rights. State inspections occur routinely to ensure compliance. Residents have the right to live safely, free from abuse and neglect. Violations can lead to penalties and possibly revocation of a facility’s license. An attorney knowledgeable about Maryland regulations can offer detailed insights and assistance in leveraging these laws for your loved one’s protection.
How Do I Choose the Right Attorney for a Nursing Home Abuse Case?
Select an attorney with extensive experience in nursing home abuse cases who understands the complexities of elder law and has a history of significant settlements. At Brown & Barron, LLC, we value client communication, guiding you through each step with clarity and compassion. Our unwavering commitment to treating every client like family fosters a supportive environment aimed at achieving the best possible outcomes for your case.
Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyer in Annapolis Today
If you suspect that a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, it’s important to act quickly to protect their safety and well-being. At our Annapolis nursing home abuse and neglect attorney, we are committed to holding negligent facilities and caregivers accountable for their actions. We will listen to your concerns, thoroughly investigate the situation, and fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and take the first step toward defending your loved one’s rights.
If you suspect your loved one is abused in a nursing home, call our Annapolis nursing home abuse & neglect attorney at Brown & Barron, LLC to start getting the help you deserve.