Maryland nursing home lawsuits are not always results of glaring, intentional abuse. In many cases, lawsuits arise after a nursing home or another long term care facility fails to properly care for a resident. Spotting neglect can be difficult, since many residents are elderly and sick already. However, families must remain vigilant in order to identify instances of neglect. Families should look for certain potential signs, such as poor personal hygiene, including poor dental health; lack of mobility, which may be caused by remaining bedridden for too long; unexplained injuries, such as bruises and broken bones; unsanitary living conditions and inadequate security; physical symptoms from lack of nutrition; and psychological issues, including anger, resentment, and depression.
In cases of extreme neglect that result in the death of a resident, family members can bring a wrongful death claim against the nursing home. Maryland’s Wrongful Death Act allows a claim to be brought against a person or entity “whose wrongful act causes the death of another.” Generally, the claim must be made within three years of the family member’s death.
Lawsuit Alleges Resident’s Death Caused by Improper Care
A 74-year-old woman died after a nursing home allegedly failed to properly care for the woman. According to a news report covering a recently filed lawsuit filed by the woman’s family, the nursing home failed to properly care for her hygiene, to properly reposition her during bedrest, and to provide her with adequate nutrition and hydration, which caused the woman pressure sores and infections, respiratory failure, swallowing problems, septic shock, and pneumonia, leading to her death.
The lawsuit alleges that the nursing home failed to properly evaluate her condition to prevent pressure sores, failed to turn her every two hours, failed to use pressure-relieving devices, and failed to adequately clean her from feces and urine. The family’s attorney said that the facility’s actions caused the woman extensive injuries and resulted in excruciating pain and ultimately her death. The lawsuit also alleges that staff did not tell the woman’s family about the pressure sores or other medical issues. They claim that the facility was understaffed in order to increase its profit margins. The lawsuit cites the nursing home’s deficiencies as found in state public health surveys.
The facility responded publicly by stating that it could not comment on an individual or the individual’s care, due to patient privacy laws. The facility stated, however, that it intended to “vigorously defend against all allegations of improper care.” The nursing home had a perfect rating on the federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ website.
Has Your Loved One Been Abused or Neglected?
If you believe your loved one may have been abused or neglected at a Maryland nursing home, contact an experienced nursing home attorney as soon as possible. At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have nearly two decades of experience representing victims throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Nursing homes should be held responsible for their actions. Our firm approaches each case with empathy and professionalism in order to provide you with the attention you deserve. To set up a free consultation, call us at 800-654-1949 or 410-654-3600 or contact us online.
More Blog Posts:
Court Upholds Jury’s Decision to Award Punitive Damages in Nursing Home Case, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published October 13, 2017.
Pre-Trial Discovery in Maryland Nursing Home Cases, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published October 6, 2017.