Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
A recent online article by the Huffington Post explains that elder abuse is everyone’s problem because the people who are directly affected by it don’t have the means or ability to create any meaningful reform of the system that perpetuates the abuse. Throughout the article, several interesting and startling points are made about nursing-home abuse. Perhaps most startling is that fact that, although rare elsewhere, sexual abuse of the elderly is most common at nursing home facilities.
Some one in ten elderly people are suspected to have at one time suffered some kind of abuse. The most common type of abuse is financial in nature, and it is most commonly committed by a loved one who is close to the victim. However, sexual abuse of elders is a frightening occurrence that may not be as rare as we think—or hope.
Due to several factors, those who are inclined to prey on the helpless are often drawn toward the elderly. One reason is that many elderly victims have no one they can report the abuse to, assuming they are even physically well enough to communicate with others at all. Another reason is that caring for the elderly can be an especially stressful task. Job frustration undoubtedly plays a role in many cases of elder abuse. None of these reasons, however, are a valid excuse for the kinds of abuse that occur each day in nursing homes across Maryland.
Nursing Home Abuse in Maryland
Maryland is not immune from rogue employees and uncaring nursing home administration. In fact, we see dozens and dozens of cases of nursing home abuse across the state each year ranging in severity.
Thankfully, the laws in Maryland permit the injured victim to seek compensation for their injuries based on the laws of negligence. When a nursing home accepts a resident into their care, they have an affirmative duty not just to provide a roof over their head, but also to provide daily—sometimes hourly—care. Of course, part of this duty is to ensure that the staff at the nursing home treats the residents with respect and humanity.
When a nursing home employee is short with a resident, or treats them as a lesser person, this may just be the surface of a deeper problem. It is always worth investigating if you believe that your loved one is being subjected to nursing home neglect or abuse.
Do You Believe Your Loved One is at Risk?
If you have a loved one at a Maryland nursing home that you believe is at risk of being neglected or abused, you should do all that you can to get them out of the situation as soon as you confirm your fears. You should also speak to a Maryland nursing home attorney about the potential of bringing a lawsuit against the negligent or abusive nursing home. Each year hundreds of cases of elder abuse and neglect get overlooked because they go unreported. The only way to hold the abusers responsible is to take action. Call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation with a Maryland nursing home attorney today.
See More Blog Posts:
Family of Nursing Home Resident Sues Facility After Accusations of Rape Substantiated, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published February 27, 2015.
Alabama Nursing Home Employee Indicted for Abusing 96-Year-Old Resident, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published January 23, 2015.