Hagerstown Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a troubling reality affecting many elderly residents in long-term care facilities across Maryland, including Hagerstown. Families trust nursing homes to provide a safe place where their elderly loved ones can receive adequate care and support. Unfortunately, some facilities fail to meet these essential standards, leaving residents at risk of mistreatment. 

For victims and their families, the experience of nursing home abuse is devastating. In such cases, seeking legal help from an experienced Hagerstown nursing home abuse lawyer is vital. 

An attorney specializing in these cases can guide families through holding responsible parties accountable, securing compensation for the harm caused, and preventing abuse of other residents.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to pursuing justice and fair compensation for victims of nursing home abuse. Our skilled nursing home neglect attorneys bring extensive experience in handling these cases with care, consistently achieving notable settlements and verdicts.

We carry out detailed investigations to address every aspect of abuse, covering medical costs, emotional distress, and other forms of harm. With our comprehensive knowledge of nursing home abuse claims, we manage the legal process smoothly and fight persistently to defend your rights. 

We provide compassionate and clear guidance every step of the way, ensuring that you and your family feel supported, informed, and protected.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Hagerstown Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse involves any intentional harm or neglect that results in injury or distress for residents. This abuse can occur in many forms, each bringing unique challenges and risks to the health and safety of elderly patients. Our nursing home lawyers are well-equipped to handle a range of abuse and neglect cases, including the following:

Physical Abuse

Elderly physical abuse in a long-term care facility includes any act that inflicts physical harm on a resident, such as hitting, shoving, or using restraints improperly. For example, if a resident suffers broken bones or unexplained bruises, it could indicate physical abuse, especially when caregivers provide no reasonable explanations.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Mental and emotional elder abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse, causing severe distress and long-term trauma for residents. This type of abuse includes verbal assaults, threats, humiliation, or intimidation. If a resident becomes withdrawn, fearful, or anxious around certain staff members, it may be a sign of emotional abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Sex abuse in nursing homes involves any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior. This type of abuse often targets vulnerable residents who may be unable to defend themselves or communicate the abuse. Physical indicators, emotional distress, and behavioral changes are all possible signs of sexual assault.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice can occur when nursing home staff fail to provide appropriate medical care, leading to preventable injuries such as bedsores, medication errors, or untreated infections. For instance, bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, develop when patients are left in the same position without proper care, causing painful and sometimes life-threatening wounds.

Negligence

Negligence occurs when a facility fails to meet its residents’ basic needs, such as providing proper hygiene, adequate nutrition, or necessary supervision. 

Examples of neglect include poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, and elopement (when residents wander away from the facility unsupervised). Neglect poses severe health risks and often leads to a decline in a resident’s well-being.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is the exploitation of a resident’s financial resources by someone within the nursing home or a related caregiver. This abuse might involve unauthorized access to bank accounts, forced property transfers, or theft of personal items. Financial abuse can leave elderly residents in a vulnerable financial position, depriving them of necessary resources.

Wrongful Death

In the most tragic cases, nursing home abuse and neglect result in the wrongful death of a resident. Families can pursue justice through wrongful death claims, holding the nursing home accountable, and seeking closure after such a devastating loss.

Our nursing home lawyers handle these cases with diligence and compassion, working tirelessly to seek justice for those who have suffered from neglect and abuse in Maryland facilities.

How Our Hagerstown Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Our nursing home attorneys are highly experienced in handling a wide range of abuse and neglect cases in Maryland nursing homes. Here are the services we provide to help families protect their loved ones and pursue rightful compensation:

Free Case Evaluation

We offer a free case evaluation to help families understand their legal options. During this consultation, our attorneys will review your case details, answer any questions you may have, and outline the possible steps forward. This initial evaluation allows you to make informed decisions about pursuing a claim.

Case Investigation

Our team conducts thorough investigations to uncover all relevant evidence, from medical records to facility reports and witness statements. This process is crucial to building a strong case that highlights the extent of the resident’s abuse or neglect. We gather all necessary documentation to demonstrate the failures in care that led to the harm.

Filing the Claim

Once we have gathered sufficient evidence, our attorneys file a formal claim against the nursing home. This process includes completing the required paperwork and ensuring all deadlines are met. We strive to build a compelling case that holds the facility accountable for any harm caused to the resident.

Settlement Negotiation

In many cases, a fair settlement can be reached without trial. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who work diligently to secure compensation that covers medical expenses, emotional suffering, and other damages. We advocate for our clients’ best interests, aiming for a resolution that fully addresses the impact of the abuse or neglect.

Trial Representation

Our team is prepared to represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached. We are fully equipped to take cases to trial when necessary to ensure that nursing homes are held responsible for any harm caused by their negligence or abuse.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

In Hagerstown, there are 30 Medicare-certified nursing homes. Of these, 15 facilities (50%) have an overall rating below or much below average. Seventeen nursing homes (57%) rated poorly in health inspections, and ten facilities (33%) fell short in staffing. Specifically, ten homes (33%) have inadequate quality measures. [1]

Identifying signs of elder abuse in nursing homes is crucial for families seeking to protect their loved ones. Knowing these indicators can help families act swiftly to ensure the safety of nursing home residents.

• Unexplained physical injuries like bruises, cuts, broken bones, or burns
• Sudden behavioral or emotional changes
• Poor hygiene and unsanitary living conditions
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Unexplained bank account withdrawals
• Missing valuables
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Untreated medical conditions
• Fearfulness or anxiety around certain staff members

If you recognize any of these telltale signs of inadequate care, it is essential to address them immediately to protect your loved one. Consulting with a qualified Maryland nursing home abuse lawyer can help you understand your options and take the necessary steps to investigate and stop the abuse.

The worst-rated nursing homes in Hagerstown include:

Contact a Hagerstown, MD Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

With years of experience handling nursing home abuse cases, our legal team at Nursing Home Law Center is dedicated to securing justice for victims and families affected by neglect and abuse. We understand the unique challenges of these cases and are committed to ensuring fair compensation for the pain, suffering, and injuries endured by nursing home residents.

If you suspect that a loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, don’t hesitate to take action. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn about your rights under Maryland law and the legal options available to you.

Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form.

References: [1] Medicare