Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
Nursing home abuse is a serious problem across the United States. However, due to the fact that many instances of abuse go unreported, keeping track of the exact number of abused residents is something that is easier said than done.
A recent study released by the Gerontological Society of America suggests that the number of abused nursing home residents may be higher than ever expected, affecting as high as one in five residents. According to the report, the abuse is not only being committed by overworked nursing home employees, but also by fellow residents.
The report suggests that the higher-than-expected rate of abuse is due at least in part to resident-on-resident abuse. This is not to diminish the contribution of employee abuse, since that is still a large part of the problem.
In either case, the nursing home administration has a duty to ensure the safety of their residents. This is true whether the abuse is resident-on-resident or in cases where the nursing home employee is the abuser.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing homes are rife with opportunities for a predator to take advantage of a vulnerable elderly resident. Just a few examples of nursing home abuse we have seen are:
- Physical beating
- Sexual abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Humiliation
- Extreme neglect
No matter what kind of abuse your loved one is suffering, it is not acceptable and should not be tolerated.
Nursing Homes’ Duty to Provide Care
Nursing homes accept residents for money, and as a part of that deal they implicitly ensure the safety of the resident, at least as far as any preventable accidents are concerned. However, each year hundreds and thousands of nursing home residents meet too early a death due to the abuse they suffer at the hands of those who are charged with caring for them.
In cases that involve resident-on-resident abuse, the nursing home may still be found liable for permitting such abuse to occur or continue. In many cases, courts have found that nursing homes are responsible for the abuse of others than direct employees. This line of logic may be extended to other residents staying in the nursing home, as long as there was some negligent act on the part of the nursing home that allowed the abuse to occur.
Do You Have a Loved One in a Maryland Nursing Home?
If you have a loved one in a Maryland nursing home, and you believe that he or she is being abused in some way, you should make sure that you take the allegation seriously. Too many times, we have seen family members ignore all the warning signs until it is too late. Don’t let another day pass while your loved one languishes. Once you have secured his or her safety, contact a dedicated Maryland nursing home attorney to discuss whether you or your loved one may have a case against the abusive employees as well as the nursing home itself. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free initial consultation.
See More Blog Posts:
Nursing Home Fire in Maine Forces Evacuation of 22 Residents, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published October 8, 2014.
Elderly Woman Killed in Nursing Home Accident, Family Settles Suit, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published November 13, 2014.