If you suspect nursing home abuse, you should not waste any time: report the nursing home to the proper state and/or local authorities immediately. Law enforcement may advise you to also contact the state’s adult protective services. You should also get your loved one any medical care they need and contact a Maryland personal injury lawyer to see what you can do about the abuse.
Who to Report Nursing Home Abuse to in Your State
Reporting nursing home abuse is a crucial first step for both holding the home accountable and getting their abusive behavior on the official record. Laws and procedures for filing a complaint vary by state. Using Maryland as an example:
- The Maryland Department of Health states that reporting suspected nursing home abuse is required by law.
- You do not have to be completely certain that the nursing home staff is abusive to report them. Your suspicions are enough.
- You must file a report with both the Office of Health Care Quality and the state or local police.
- If you fear your loved one is in imminent danger, you can call 911 first and file your reports after.
After You Report Suspected Nursing Home Abuse
The organizations you made your report should investigate your allegations. They might contact you for an interview and inspect the nursing home for evidence of abuse. Then, they will file a report on their findings.
In addition to investigations conducted by the governing organizations and proper authorities, if you end up hiring an attorney, they will launch their own investigation. Their goal is specifically to search for evidence that helps you recover compensation for damages from the nursing home.
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Taking Care of a Loved One After Nursing Home Abuse
There are several actions you can and should take if you suspect nursing home abuse. These include:
- Attending to your loved one’s injuries: Your loved one might need treatment for both physical and emotional wounds. Their primary care provider may be able to treat them directly or recommend specialists who can help.
- Removing your loved one from the home: This step can be tricky if you work full-time or your loved one requires specialized care. You might have to bring them home for a while or hire a nurse to care for them. You can recuperate the cost of these expenses through a lawsuit—for now, do what you feel is best for your loved one.
- Finding a new nursing home: It takes time to find a nursing home you trust with your loved one’s wellbeing, especially after your trust has already been violated. You can visit each home’s website, check their reviews, and go to see them and ask questions of the staff in person.
Having Trouble Finding Help After Nursing Home Abuse?
If you have not already contacted a nursing home abuse attorney, now would be a good time to do so. Some firms maintain a network of high-quality doctors that they can recommend to clients. They can connect you with the right provider to take care of your loved one.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Your Loved One
There are many types of nursing home and elder abuse, so there are many different warning signs of abuse. You may have good reason to suspect abuse if the nursing home residents:
- Have unexplained bruises, bed sores, or other injuries related to physical abuse
- Are angrier, more depressed, or more anxious than they were before
- Gain or lose weight for no apparent medical reason
- Demonstrate changes in spending habits or unexplained loss of funds or resources
- Exhibit sudden loss of mental acuity that does not have a medical cause
- Are reluctant to talk about their feelings or their daily life—or, alternately, they may tell you directly about the abuse
- Appear unkempt or unclean
Signs of an Abusive Nursing Home
In addition to keeping an eye on your loved one, check to see if their environment is sanitary and contains the things they need. That also includes making sure the staff seem friendly and caring, and that the other residents appear to be well-cared-for.
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Nursing Home Abuse and Your Legal Rights
Taking care of your loved one’s immediate needs is naturally your main priority. Once you have done so, it is time to think about the legal implications of your case and what you should do to safeguard your family’s rights after an act of nursing home abuse.
Finding Out if You Have a Nursing Home Abuse Case
It is very easy to learn about the merits of your case. Many law firms offer free case reviews to everyone who calls in. After this review, you can choose to hire one of the firm’s attorneys to do everything your case requires, including the following:
- File and receive paperwork
- Talk to the nursing home’s representatives
- Answer your questions and address your concerns
- Collect evidence to prove the nursing home’s liability
- Negotiate a satisfactory settlement from the nursing home
- Take the abusive nursing home to court and ask for a jury award
Paying for a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
You have already had to deal with a lot of unexpected bills because of your suspicions of nursing home abuse. Fortunately, attorney’s fees do not have to add to your financial concerns.
Lawyers often charge on a contingency basis, meaning that you do not have to pay their attorney’s fees unless and until they win money for your family.
Your Right to Nursing Home Abuse Compensation Expires Soon
You should know that you have a limited time to take legal action against a negligent or abusive nursing home. Again, using Maryland as an example, the deadline is three years from the injury date, according to Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 5-101.
You can protect your rights by speaking to an attorney as soon as you can. This gives them plenty of time to investigate your claim, come up with a legal strategy, and work hard to give your hard-working family a new start.
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If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse, Call Us Today
Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers exists to protect families like yours from unscrupulous and abusive businesses, including nursing homes. Call today for a free case assessment. From Hurt to Help®, we can handle every single aspect of your legal case and even recommend doctors so your loved one can heal.
Call or text (410)777-8960 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form