Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
Recent figures now show that nursing homes make up many of the country’s COVID-19 deaths. In fact, according to a recent report by the New York Times, 43 percent of coronavirus-related deaths in the United States are linked to nursing homes and long-term care facilities. In Maryland specifically, long-term care facilities make up a staggering 60 percent of the state’s COVID-19 deaths.
Throughout the country, COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes and long-term care facilities account for at least 54,000 deaths. So far, many large groups of coronavirus cases have occurred in nursing homes, prisons, and food processing facilities, where social distancing is difficult or impossible. And although there were more cases in prisons and food processing plants, the deadliest clusters have been mostly in nursing homes, where residents are particularly vulnerable because of their age and underlying health problems.
The report found that where large outbreaks occurred in nursing homes, 17 percent of people infected with COVID-19 died, compared to around a five percent death rate among COVID-19 patients in general. In three states, over 75 percent of all COVID-19 deaths are linked to nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Under state and federal regulations—which nursing homes are required to follow if they accept Medicare and Medicaid patients—Maryland nursing homes must maintain sufficient staffing and provide adequate medical care to residents. Maryland nursing homes that are receiving federal funding must:
- Investigate, control, prevent infections in the facility
- Maintain a record of infections in the facility and the corrective actions that were taken
- Maintain the capability to isolate any patient who may contract a communicable disease from other residents
- Launder linens in a way that prevents the spread of infections
- Report cases of diseases and infections to local health officials
Nursing homes are now required to inform residents, as well as their families and representatives if a resident or staff member tests positive for COVID-19. Nursing homes must inform the CDC within 12 hours of a confirmed case.
If a Maryland nursing home fails to take adequate measures to protect or treat residents, residents and family members may be able to file a claim against the nursing home for negligence or wrongful death. In a Maryland nursing home case, a plaintiff has to establish that the nursing home failed to meet its duties by failing to provide adequate care for the resident under the circumstances.
Contact a Maryland Nursing Home Law Firm
If you believe that a Maryland nursing home is at fault because of your loved one’s contraction of COVID-19, do not waste any time before speaking with an experienced Maryland nursing home attorney. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers, our advocates have represented individuals throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. in claims against nursing homes and others who have harmed them. Due to our dedication and tenacity, we frequently recover significant damages awards on behalf of our clients and their families. Contact Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers, today for a free, no-obligation consultation, by calling toll-free at (800) 654-1949. You can also contact us through our online form.