The residents of Maryland nursing homes are a vulnerable population. While most nursing home residents have family somewhere in the state, the reality is that family cannot always be present to witness how staff is treating their loved one. On top of that, many residents suffer from some kind of mental illness or incapacitation that can affect their ability to accurately and credibly relay information about the way they are being treated. Given this landscape, it does not require much of an imagination to see why nursing home abuse is underreported.
Under the law, any instances of abuse or neglect of a Medicare beneficiary must be reported to the authorities. However, according to a recent report, a newly released government study issued by the Department of Health and Human Services found approximately 130 instances of unreported abuse of Medicare beneficiaries, dating back to 2015.
The abuse discussed in the report is extremely serious, including rape, seduction, sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, maltreatment, and sadism. The article details the abuse sustained by an elderly woman that was documented not in nursing home records but in the woman’s medical records after she was admitted into the emergency room. Evidently, a nursing aide entered the woman’s room to find a male nurse on top of the elderly woman, grabbing her breasts and ejaculating on her.
The report estimates that approximately 22% of all nursing home residents have suffered at least one “adverse event,” which includes instances of abuse and neglect. Adverse events also include the development of pressure ulcers and infections. It is further estimated that nearly 70% of these adverse events could have been avoided with the exercise of due care.
Maryland Nursing Home Lawsuits
Despite the grim outlook of the recently released report, many Maryland nursing home facilities are staffed with caring nurses and employees who strive to make residents’ stays as comfortable as possible. However, clearly, that is not always the case.
When a nursing home resident suffers from any type of abuse or neglect, the responsible parties may be held liable for their actions through a Maryland nursing home lawsuit. Contacting a dedicated personal injury attorney is a good place to start to understand what must be proven and the type of evidence that may be available to substantiate claims of abuse.
Are You in Need of an Attorney?
If you or a loved one has recently suffered at the hands of an abusive or negligent nursing home employee, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The Maryland personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers work with the families of neglected and abused Maryland nursing home residents to ensure that the parties responsible for the mistreatment are held accountable. We know how painful seeing a loved one suffer can be, and we will stand up for the rights of your loved one. Call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated Maryland nursing home abuse attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Social Media’s Role in Perpetuating Nursing Home Abuse, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published August 7, 2017.
Proving Abuse or Neglect in Maryland Nursing Home Cases, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published September 7, 2017.