Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
Maryland’s nursing home residents are some of the state’s most vulnerable people. Many families place a loved one in a nursing home when they are no longer able to care for themselves, are aging or disabled, and need regular assistance with daily life activities. When families decide to place a loved one in this type of care, they almost always believe they are doing the best thing for their loved one’s health and well being. That is one of the reasons why nursing home abuse and neglect can be so devastating—families who just wanted to protect their loved ones feel betrayed and shocked to discover that they were facing harm in their nursing home. Particularly traumatic are occurrences of sexual abuse in nursing homes. But, unfortunately, such abuse does occur, in Maryland and across the country.
Sometimes, this abuse is perpetrated by a staff member or caretaker employed by the nursing home to take care of residents. In these cases, Maryland families should remember that they usually have the option of filing a lawsuit against both the staff member and the nursing home. But sometimes, the abuse occurs within the nursing home but not by someone employed by the nursing home—another resident, for example. Recently, this issue came up in a New York nursing home. According to a local news report, state officials cited the home for failing to report instances of sexual abuse. The nursing home discovered that at least three residents were sexually abused by another resident, some on multiple occasions, but did not report these crimes.
While holding the nursing home liable in this case may appear more complicated, since no one employed by the home actually perpetrated the abuse, this case illustrates the important potential for holding nursing homes responsible for being negligent and neglecting to take certain actions. Here, Maryland state law may allow a cause of action for the abused victims (or their families, suing on their behalf) to hold the nursing home accountable for negligence in allowing the abuse to happen multiple times and for their failure to report the crimes or take further preventative action.
Why Should Families Consider Bringing a Claim Against a Maryland Nursing Home>
Nursing home lawsuits can be very important to remedy the harm caused and provide financial compensation to the victims. They can also encourage nursing homes to be more careful in the future, protecting future residents. However, these claims can also be difficult to litigate, especially while the victim and their family are processing the trauma that occurred. That’s why many choose to work with a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney who can handle the case and its complexities for them, allowing them to focus on mental recovery.
Has Your Loved One Been Harmed by Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in Maryland?
If your loved one has been abused, they may be entitled to financial compensation, and you may be able to help them get it. Filing a civil negligence lawsuit against the nursing home can help you and your family recover and hold the Maryland nursing home responsible for their neglect. Call the personal injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, today to learn more about how to get started. We can be reached at 800-654-1949, or through our online form.