Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
Nursing home neglect has been in the headlines a lot recently, as nursing homes across the country struggle to keep a full staff. The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as several other industry-wide challenges, has resulted in many nursing homes losing large numbers of employees, as well as a corresponding difficulty in finding available workers.
Nursing home neglect occurs when nursing home employees fail to provide the level of care a resident needs. When family members decide on a nursing home, one of the primary factors they use is the institution’s safety record. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect is often swept under the rug by nursing home management, which means it is not reflected in their ratings. However, some instances of neglect are impossible to hide.
For example, the owner of a South Carolina nursing home was recently arrested and charged with neglect, exploitation and breach of trust of the residents in his care. More specifically, the charges included 10 counts of neglect of a vulnerable adult, two counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult and one count of breach of trust with fraudulent intent.
Evidently, the charges stem from events occurring back in August and September 2021. On these dates, the owner is alleged to have knowingly and willfully failed to provide care, goods, or supervision to the vulnerable adult residents. The case was just filed, so an outcome is not expected for several months.
For families faced with the need of placing a loved one in a Maryland nursing home, it can be challenging to ensure that the facility is addressing their loved one’s needs. Many nursing home residents’ physical or mental conditions prevent them from being able to articulate what is going on behind closed doors, and nursing home staff often can put on a “good show” during visits.
What Can Families do to Protect Loved Ones from Nursing Home Neglect?
To protect loved ones living in Maryland nursing homes, families have to trust their gut. If something seems wrong, they should report it as soon as possible. For example, if a resident’s condition suddenly starts to deteriorate and nursing home staff members cannot offer any explanation, it may be a sign of nursing home abuse or neglect. Similarly, if a resident expresses concern about the way they are being treated, it is important to listen to their complaints with a sympathetic ear, as they may very well be only the tip of the iceberg.
Is Your Loved One in a Maryland Nursing Home?
If you have a loved one in a Maryland nursing home and are worried about their safety, the dedicated Maryland nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen are here to help. For more than two decades, Lebowitz & Mzhen attorneys have been advocating on behalf of residents and their families, helping them hold abusive and neglectful facilities accountable. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with an attorney, call 800-654-1949 today. You can also reach us through our online contact form and one of our attorneys will be in touch shortly.