Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
Choosing the right care facility or nursing home for a family member is a stressful and complicated process. It is vital to know that our most vulnerable loved ones are being placed in a caring, comfortable, and safe environment. Unfortunately, recent events have left many nursing and care homes with staffing shortages, training deficiencies, and a lack of supplies. When nursing homes fail to meet the basic requirements of care for residents or worse, they must be held accountable.
According to recent local news reporting, the care facility Pruitt Health in Lilburn has recently been under investigation for allegations of abuse. Adult protective services investigations in Georgia are confidential and closed, but police records indicate that officers in Lilburn have investigated at least three recent allegations of abuse at the facility. The reporting detailed multiple patients alleging abuse at Pruitt Health.
One patient, who is at the facility to undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation following a truck accident that left him largely paralyzed, accused Pruitt of failing to provide any physical therapy for him. Following eight months in the hospital, he arrived at Pruitt Health, he said he’s since reported several instances of alleged abuse and neglect to his ombudsman, a government-appointed advocate tasked with investigating complaints. The patient stated that he’s been left sitting in his feces and urine for seven to eight hours at a time, he’s been verbally abused, and often has food shoved down his mouth. The resident states that he now suffers from anxiety attacks. Another patient at Pruitt had significant facial bruising when interviewed, while another suffered a broken shoulder while leaving their bed. A fourth patient alleged being raped at the facility.
How Common is Nursing Home Abuse?
In 2020, Nursing Home Abuse Justice, an advocacy organization for nursing home abuse, found that over 15,000 complaints filed with nursing home ombudsmen were about abuse or neglect. Maryland is sadly no exception to this trend. If you have a loved one or family member in a nursing or long-term care facility, it is vital that you recognize the signs of neglect or abuse and report them promptly to the relevant authorities in order to hold the perpetrators accountable. Signs of abuse range from unexplained bruising to the sudden onset of depression and confusion, or dramatic changes in spending habits. It is important to remember that abuse can be perpetrated by a loved one, caregivers, and staff at a nursing home facility.
Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Go Largely Unreported?
Due to the power imbalance at play between residents and staff, many victims of nursing home abuse are hesitant to take action from within a facility. Additionally, many residents may have trouble communicating their experiences or are unable to fully grasp what is happening to them. 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 someone you love has been harmed by a care facility in the Prince George’s, Baltimore, Charles, or Montgomery County region, let the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen help you recover the damages you deserve. 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 nursing home lawyers on your side can make all the difference. To schedule a free and confidential consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.