Rockville Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Attorney

Fighting For Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Victims in Maryland

Nursing homes are meant to provide seniors with a safe, comfortable place to live where they can receive the daily care they require. However, not every nursing home resident gets the care they deserve. Abuse and neglect can run rampant in these facilities, and the injuries that follow can be devastating.

If your loved one suffered harm due to abuse or neglect in a nursing home, financial compensation may be in order. Holding a nursing home or its owners accountable can be challenging, as these parties often have substantial assets to defend themselves. A Rockville nursing home abuse & neglect attorney could pursue monetary compensation on behalf of your loved one.

If your family member has suffered abuse in a nursing home setting, a discussion with a Rockville nursing home lawyer could be in your best interest. Your legal counsel could identify who is responsible for the abuse and hold them accountable.

Get in touch with a nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer in Rockville, (410) 547-0202 for a free case evaluation.

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

There are several different categories of nursing home abuse.

While no two incidents of abuse are exactly the same, these acts of abuse generally fall into one of these five categories:

Sexual Abuse

One type of commonly unreported abuse is sexual abuse. Sexual abuse involves any incident of sexual contact or exposure that was not consensual. These acts are unfortunately common in nursing homes due to many residents’ lack of mental capacity.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse can take the form of any unexplained physical injury. This type of abuse often involves an assault. The unnecessary use of restraints could also qualify.

Emotional Abuse

Some types of abuse do not leave visible marks or scars. The most common type is emotional abuse. Emotional abuse involves actions that are intended to result in despair, fear, isolation, or distress.

Financial Abuse

Many nursing home residents fall victim to acts of financial abuse. This abuse can take different forms, but it generally involves the unlawful taking of a nursing home resident’s property or money. This abuse could involve simple acts of theft or complex fraud that impacts real property ownership or an inheritance.

Neglect

Neglect is one of the most harmful types of abuse. It occurs when the basic needs of a nursing home resident remain unmet. These needs could include food, hygiene, or medical care. Neglect can be intentional or result from negligence, such as understaffing.

If your loved one experienced any of these or another form of abuse, a Rockville nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer from our team can help you file a claim or lawsuit.

What Is a Nursing Home Abuse Case Worth?

The financial costs of your loved one suffering abuse or neglect can be substantial. That says nothing of the physical and emotional trauma they experienced. By pursuing a civil lawsuit, your loved one could be entitled to financial compensation.

It is impossible to guarantee what a nursing home abuse case is worth. While many factors impact the value of a case, our firm can review the facts and advise your family on what you might expect. The value of an injury case will depend on the types of compensation the nursing home abuse victim is entitled to recover.

Relocation Expenses

Few families want their loved one to remain in the same facility where abuse or neglect occurred. However, the cost of transferring a resident to a new facility can be exorbitant. In some cases, there could be expenses related to resolving the contract with the facility where the abuse took place. A personal injury lawsuit could cover these relocation expenses.

Pain and Suffering

Abuse is physically and emotionally painful. This pain would not have occurred if the abuse had never happened. This makes it only fair for your loved one to seek compensation for the pain and suffering the abuse caused.

Medical Bills

Medical care for your loved one could be costly, and these costs are only likely to increase over time. Elderly patients can face a lengthy healing process, so an act of abuse could result in months or even years of treatment. A civil lawsuit could help you recoup the cost of that treatment.

Your Rockville nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer can help you calculate the value of your damages and request a fair compensation amount from the liable party or their insurance company.

The attorneys of Brown & Barron, LLC are proud to fight for the victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. To learn more about how a Rockville nursing home abuse & neglect attorney could help you,reach out todayfor a free consultation. Don’t delay, asMaryland Courts & Judicial Proceedings Code § 5-109sets a time limit for filing personal nursing home lawsuits in Maryland.

Contact Brown & Barron, LLC online today to schedule a free case review with a nursing home abuse & neglect attorney in Rockville.

Who Is Liable for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

A key aspect of pursuing financial compensation for nursing home abuse or neglect is identifying the liable party. Before you or your loved one can negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit, you must know the party or parties that were responsible.

When it comes to nursing home abuse and neglect, the liable party might not always be obvious. In many cases, the actions of multiple individuals could combine to result in abuse or neglect.

The Abuser

The obvious target of a civil lawsuit is the perpetrator of abuse or neglect. This is often an employee of the facility. However, some acts of abuse may be committed by a friend, family member, or even another resident in a nursing home facility. In either case, it could be possible to pursue civil litigation against that person.

Nursing Home Facility

There are many ways that the nursing facility, its owners, or its employees could contribute to or fail to prevent abuse or neglect. The owners and operators of these facilities should screen their employees and ensure that the workforce is the appropriate size.

Hiring dangerous or underqualified employees could result in abuse or neglect. The same is true with understaffing. If staffing levels are unreasonably low, it could be impossible for the staff to provide adequate care to every resident.

Doctors or Nurses

Some acts of abuse or neglect occur as a result of medical mistakes. Doctors who fail to diagnose a resident’s condition or simply do not provide the treatment they need could be liable. There are times when neglect can lead to a severe lack of medical attention. In these cases, the facility could also share in the blame.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do If I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?

If you suspect nursing home abuse, it's crucial to act swiftly to protect your loved one and others from further harm. Start by documenting any signs of abuse, such as injuries or changes in behavior, and report your concerns to the nursing home management. Maryland law requires facilities to investigate and report such incidents, so it’s essential to hold them accountable to these standards.

Next, contact the Maryland Department of Health or the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, as they can conduct formal investigations and ensure the nursing home complies with state regulations. These agencies are tasked with safeguarding the welfare of residents and may take action against the facility if your concerns are substantiated.

Finally, consult with a nursing home abuse attorney from Brown & Barron, LLC to discuss the legal options available to you. An experienced attorney can help you understand the nuances of your case, assist in gathering further evidence, and navigate the legal process to seek compensation for the abuse. Taking prompt and appropriate action not only aids your loved one but can help prevent such incidents from occurring to others in the future.

How Long Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Maryland?

In Maryland, the statute of limitations for filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit is generally three years from the date the abuse was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. This legal timeframe is critical, as failing to file within this period typically results in forfeiting the right to pursue a claim.

It's advisable to seek legal counsel as soon as possible to ensure that crucial deadlines aren't missed. The attorneys at Brown & Barron, LLC emphasize the importance of timely action, as early consultations enable a comprehensive review of the case and strategic planning to meet legal criteria for a successful claim.

Given that legal nuances can be complex and vary based on specific case factors, engaging with a knowledgeable attorney who is familiar with Maryland's nursing home regulations provides significant advantages. They not only guide you through the legal process but also ensure that all evidence is properly preserved, enhancing your case's robustness.

What Are the Common Types of Compensation in Nursing Home Abuse Cases?

Nursing home abuse cases can encompass various types of compensation, each aimed at addressing different facets of the victim’s experience. Common compensations include:

Medical Expenses: Covering costs for medical treatment and rehabilitation due to injuries caused by the abuse.
Pain and Suffering: Financial restitution for the physical and emotional distress experienced by the victim.
Relocation Costs: If moving the resident to another facility is necessary, these expenses can be recuperated.
Punitive Damages: In some cases, these are awarded to punish the neglectful party and deter similar conduct by others.

Working with a competent attorney from Brown & Barron, LLC ensures that every aspect of potential compensation is explored and maximized. Our focus on thorough investigation and meticulous representation aims to secure comprehensive justice for our clients, aligning with our mission to restore dignity and ensure safety for families across Rockville.

Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Attorney in Rockville Today

If you suspect your loved one has endured abuse or neglect in a nursing home, the compassionate and experienced legal team at our firm is here to help. We know the emotional toll these situations take and are committed to fighting for the safety, dignity, and justice your family deserves. Our Rockville nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case, hold responsible parties accountable, and pursue the compensation your loved one is entitled to. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward defending your loved one’s rights.