The mistreatment of older people in long-term care settings can lead to severe physical, psychological, and financial consequences. Victims often feel fear and isolation while sustaining injuries and harm that can result in premature mortality in the worst cases. While elder abuse may result in criminal charges for the people responsible, victims and their families can also seek financial damages by filing a civil claim.
If your loved one was harmed by the negligent or intentional wrongdoing of a care facility or its staff, our Edgewood personal injury lawyers could help you build a compensation case.
How Can I Tell if My Loved One Suffers From Nursing Home Abuse?
The most obvious way of learning about elder abuse is if your loved one talks to you about any negative experiences. Sadly, in many cases of abuse involving older people, communication can be limited by physical health conditions or fear of repercussions if they say anything.
If something does not feel right when visiting family at a care facility, it can help to know the signs of abuse.
Identifying Signs of Possible Care Home Abuse
According to the National Institute on Aging, watch out for one or more of the following behaviors or signs:
- Emotional and behavioral changes: Your loved one may refuse to participate in hobbies or spend time with loved ones. Additionally, you may notice that your loved one acts differently around particular residents or staff members.
- Physical signs of abuse or neglect: Take note of injuries like cuts, burns, and bruises. Sexual abuse victims might experience vaginal bleeding or bruising around the thighs.
- Bedsores: Pressure ulcers (bed sores) could point to unsanitary conditions or lack of proper care and attention.
- Poor living conditions: An unclean or untidy appearance in the nursing facility could mean poor hygiene. Dried and cracked lips could indicate dehydration, while rapid weight loss, lethargy, and weakness are signs of malnutrition.
- Lack of supervision: Not monitoring and assisting residents can lead to dangerous falls, frequent injuries, and wandering.
- Lack of basic living and comfort aids: If your loved one does not have regular access to eyeglasses, reading material, or entertainment options, they may be victims of neglect or abuse.
- Missing items: For example, if your loved one’s favorite watch has gone missing, this could indicate theft or financial exploitation.
If you feel something is wrong, try talking to your loved one privately and do a little investigating yourself by taking photographs and writing down what you have noticed. In addition, call the local police if you feel your loved one is in immediate danger.
You can also voice your concerns to the nursing home administrator and ask them about their formal complaint procedure and how they intend to act on the situation. Finally, if you are still worried about your loved one after speaking with the administrator, we can help you file a formal complaint against the nursing home.
Contact Us Today And Take The First Step Towards Justice In Your Case! Call (410)777-8960
We Will Help You File a Complaint and Support You and Your Loved One
The team at MD Accident Law understands how devastating elder abuse can be for victims and their families and how upset you feel about your loved one’s treatment.
Our attorneys are dedicated to supporting you at this difficult time and holding those responsible to account for their actions. Thus, we will help you decide on an appropriate legal approach and compile the documents, records, and other evidence you need to build a compelling case.
We work alongside medical experts and support agencies such as Adult Protection Services, who, like us, are dedicated to tackling the abuse and neglect of older people. Together, we will investigate what happened and get the care, compassion, and attention your loved one needs and the compensation they deserve.
Edgewood Nursing Home Abuse Attorney (410)777-8960
How does Filing a Nursing Home Abuse Claim Help?
Our nursing home abuse attorneys work with family or close friends of elder abuse victims who cannot file a claim themselves. Once we file a complaint, the appropriate authorities will review it and investigate:
- If the nursing home or staff subjected your loved one to abuse
- Whether the care facility violated any state or federal laws
Additionally, our team works hard to understand how the mistreatment has affected your loved one and assesses the financial value of the claim. While monetary damages cannot undo the harm inflicted, they can help to compensate for:
- The pain and suffering caused to your loved one
- Any financial support needed to pay for medical bills, treatment, and rehabilitation
- The costs associated with relocating your loved one to a different care facility
- The broader effects of the abuse on your loved one’s enjoyment of life
Filing a claim can also highlight any safety issues or negligent practices that the nursing home must address so that others do not suffer similarly.
Wrongful Death Following Nursing Home Abuse in Edgewood
Did the abuse cause your family member’s wrongful death? If so, we will do everything we can to find out what went wrong and hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. Unfortunately, we cannot undo the pain of losing someone unexpectedly. However, we can help recover expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, and other related losses by filing a wrongful death claim on your behalf.
You Will Need to File Your Claim within a Certain Time
The statute of limitations in Maryland for filing a nursing home abuse case is three years per Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 5-101. Other rules may apply depending on the circumstances of your case. Regrettably, if this strict deadline passes, it is unlikely you will be able to file your claim, no matter how compelling the evidence.
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Call for a Free Consultation With Our Edgewood Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
As a family member of someone who has suffered abuse in a nursing home, we know this is a difficult time for you. However, the team at the Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers will make the legal process as straightforward as possible. We offer compassionate and insightful legal representation and provide our services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you face no financial risk.
Schedule a free consultation with our team today to learn more about how we can help.
Call or text (410)777-8960 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
