Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
Under the best of circumstances, it can be difficult to select a good nursing home or care facility for your loved ones. Trusting such institutions to help our loved ones and family members following hospitalizations or for long-term care is a stressful and complicated process. That decision can be even more nerve-wracking when widespread practices of elder abuse, medication errors, and financial abuse are uncovered. When nursing homes and care facilities fail to meet the basic requirements of care for residents, they must be held accountable. A recent local news article discussed prior employment red flags in an employee’s work history who is now being charged in a nursing home death case.
According to the article, amidst the ongoing investigation into the death of an elderly woman at a Pueblo West nursing home, former employers are now highlighting a pattern of negligence by the caretaker charged in connection to the incident. Prior to working at the Pueblo West nursing home, the employee worked at the Boone Guest Home, an overnight assisted living facility for individuals with developmental disabilities. A former supervisor confirmed that the worker was fired for caretaker neglect from Boone Guest Home.
The assistant director at Boone Guest Home stated that in September 2022 the police became involved in the firing of the worker. Another manager had gone to the home to check in on the worker, who was caring for three developmentally disabled elders, and found nobody around and the house “completely destroyed.” The supervisor said that the house was completely overturned, with couches flipped over, drawers pulled out, and the resident’s personal medication and cash either missing or scattered around the home. The worker is separately charged with Negligently Causing Death and Negligently Causing Serious Bodily Injury to an At-Risk Adult for the death of a resident in the Pueblo West nursing home.
Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Go Largely Unreported?
There is an inherent power balance between residents and staff in nursing homes. Staff members are in charge of feeding, treating, and caring for residents, often making residents fully or largely reliant on staff members. That imbalance can result in a hesitation to report or take action when abuses are occurring. Additionally, many residents may have trouble directly or clearly communicating their experiences. As a result, it often falls to visitors and loved ones to advocate for them when things go wrong. It is extremely important to take a resident seriously if they disclose or report instances of nursing home neglect or abuse.
Do You Need a Maryland Nursing Home Neglect Attorney?
If you or a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect at a nursing home or long-term care facility in Prince George’s, Charles, Baltimore, and Montgomery County, contact the lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen today for help. Our attorneys have many years of experience fighting for the injured and will work to provide you with the support, legal knowledge, and confidence to proceed with your claim. The costs stemming from injury or abuse can quickly become overwhelming, and having a team of experienced lawyers on your side can make all the difference. To schedule a free and confidential consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.