Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
When we send our loved ones to a nursing home or they choose to head to one on their own, we trust that the staff at these facilities will take care of them as we would. This, however, is not always the case. Unfortunately, some nursing home facilities can often be abusive toward its residents—and create situations dangerous for the physical, mental, emotional, and financial health our loved ones.
According to a recent news report, more than a dozen residents had to be relocated amid allegations of abuse at an assisted living facility. Based on an investigation, reports from as far back as 2018 showed previous rule violations such as strong urine odors at the facility, a failure of the facility’s staff to store perishable foods properly, and a failure to properly supervise a resident with dementia. Following recent allegations of elder abuse at the facility, state regulators shut the nursing home down. According to local authorities, criminal charges are possible, but nothing has been filed yet. Details into the allegations and the health of the residents who had to be transferred to other facilities remains under investigation.
What Are the Signs of Elder Abuse?
Because abuse takes many different forms, the signs of abuse can also vary. Some things to look out for include your loved one suddenly becoming isolated from friends and family, unexplained burns, scars, or bruises, new signs of depression and confusion, preventable conditions such as bed sores, or recent changes in spending patterns.
Unfortunately, abuse can happen to any elderly person, and Maryland elders are no stranger to these instances. Spotting the signs early, however, could save their life. Among the many types of abuse that an elderly person could experience, the most common include physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and abandonment type abuse. Abuse can also be perpetrated by a loved one, caregivers, and staff at a nursing home facility.
In Maryland, if you suspect your elderly loved one is suffering from abuse, you can contact Maryland Adult Protective Services (APS). The program serves to remedy or prevent abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults and elderly individuals. In cases involving financial exploitation, banking institutions are required by law to report the danger immediately to the local department of social services. Similarly, health practitioners, police officers, and human service workers are under the same obligations to report suspected abuse.
Do You Need a Maryland Elder Abuse Attorney?
If you or a loved one have recently suffered abuse or neglect at a nursing home or long term care facility in Maryland, contact the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen today for assistance. Our lawyers have 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 with ease. Given our years of experience across multiple areas of personal injury law, we will fight to get you the compensation you and your loved ones deserve. To schedule a free initial consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.