Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
With the population aging and life expectancies increasing, nursing homes are becoming a part of more and more Maryland residents’ lives. Although many Maryland nursing homes offer quality care and safe facilities, nursing home abuse and neglect are still persistent problems across the state. It can be difficult to know the risk of this type of abuse and neglect when choosing a nursing home. While there may be warning signs to look for – such as past instances of abuse, or unclean or unsecure facilities – there are some cases where a seemingly fine nursing home may make decisions that then lead to abuse and neglect. Specifically, facilities that fall into financial trouble may cut staffing in the home, leading to new problems in a previously fine home.
For example, one nursing home was recently cited by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for making staffing decisions that led to several dangerous incidents. According to a news report covering the story, the home, which once operated seemingly without issue, suffered financially in recent years, leading them to cut staffing to save money. These personnel cuts led to an increase in quality-of-care violations cited by state regulators, with six violations in 2017 that jumpted to 22 in 2018 and 36 in 2019. The incidents included not having portable liquid oxygen tanks for patients who needed them, hiring an unlicensed caregiver, allowing a kitchen worker to supervise the dementia ward, and multiple instances of sexual abuse and medication errors. Additionally, inspectors found that the home, because it was short-staffed, was unable to adequately respond to residents’ requests for assistance. Some residents reported soiling themselves as they waited 40 minutes for someone to come to help them.
Incidents like these, which were particularly bad at this specific nursing home, unfortunately happen in facilities all across the country. Oftentimes, the patients are extremely vulnerable and frail, and may be unable to defend themselves or even tell someone else what is happening. Because of this, it is particularly difficult to catch nursing home abuse and neglect. When it is identified and caught, however, the state law allows the victims and/or their loved ones to file a suit against the home and hold them accountable for their actions. These suits may be difficult but can result in significant monetary compensation for those who have been harmed as a result of negligent staffing or other negligent actions performed by the nursing homes.
Call a Maryland Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you are considering filing suit against a Maryland nursing home, contact Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers, to speak to an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer first. Our attorneys have years of experience and have successfully represented countless Maryland plaintiffs in legal battles against large nursing homes. We know how to take on these facilities and win, and are not afraid to take your case all the way through trial if need be. When you work with us, you can trust you are working with attorneys who are advocating for your rights at every step of the way. Call us today to schedule a free consultation at 800-654-1949.