Baltimore Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a serious and distressing issue that affects countless nursing home residents across Baltimore and throughout Maryland. Elderly residents in assisted living facilities are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect, which can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional trauma, sexual abuse, and financial exploitation. 

Nursing home neglect often results in serious injuries, emotional trauma, and declining health, significantly impacting a resident’s quality of life.

For families, discovering that a loved one has suffered at the hands of nursing home employees or poor practices can be heartbreaking. Seeking the help of an experienced Baltimore nursing home attorney is crucial to protect victims’ rights and hold nursing homes and their operators accountable. 

Elder abuse attorneys have the expertise to handle nursing home abuse cases, provide support, and pursue financial compensation for victims, ensuring that those responsible are held legally accountable for their actions.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, our mission is to secure justice and fair compensation for those affected by nursing home abuse. Our dedicated legal team brings extensive experience to each case, demonstrating a strong history of handling nursing home negligence cases and obtaining significant settlements and verdicts.

We conduct comprehensive investigations to ensure every detail of the abuse, including medical bills, emotional distress, and other related damages, is thoroughly examined and addressed. Our deep knowledge of nursing home abuse claims allows us to handle the legal process with efficiency while fighting tirelessly to defend your rights.

We provide compassionate, transparent support to ensure you and your family feel informed, secure, and empowered throughout each stage of your case.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Baltimore Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse involves the mistreatment or neglect of nursing home patients, leading to physical harm, emotional suffering, or financial loss. This abuse can take many forms and often requires legal intervention to protect victims and hold nursing facilities accountable.

Physical Abuse

Physical elder abuse includes any deliberate act that inflicts pain or injury on a nursing home patient, such as hitting, pushing, or rough handling. Improper or excessive use of restraints also falls under this category. Signs may include broken bones, bruises, or unexplained injuries. Such abuse compromises the resident’s safety and well-being and must be addressed promptly.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Mental and emotional elder abuse involves behavior that causes psychological harm, such as verbal threats, harassment, or isolation from others. This form of abuse can lead to mental anguish, depression, and anxiety in residents. Family members may notice changes in behavior, such as withdrawal, sudden fearfulness, or mood swings.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual elder abuse encompasses any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior. Elderly residents, particularly those with cognitive impairments, are especially vulnerable. 

Signs of sexual violence may include unexplained injuries, sexually transmitted infections, or sudden emotional distress. It is essential for nursing home facilities to implement strict safeguards to prevent such violations.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when nursing home staff or healthcare providers fail to deliver proper medical treatment, leading to preventable harm. Examples include bedsores (pressure ulcers), medication errors, or failure to respond to a resident’s medical needs. These instances can result in serious injuries or complications that further endanger residents’ health.

Negligence

Negligence in nursing homes can manifest as poor hygiene, inadequate nutrition, dehydration, or allowing residents to wander unsupervised (elopement). Negligent practices often stem from insufficient staffing, poor training, or failure to follow established care protocols. These oversights can severely impact residents’ physical health and overall well-being.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse involves the unauthorized or unlawful use of a nursing home resident’s assets, including forging signatures, coercing changes to financial documents, or theft of personal property. This type of abuse can lead to significant economic loss and added stress for residents and their families.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death cases often stem from severe neglect, medical malpractice, or intentional harm, causing the victim’s family profound emotional and financial suffering.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Nursing home residents in Baltimore and across Maryland are protected under a range of federal and state laws that safeguard their right to quality care and protection from abuse and neglect.

One of the most significant federal laws is the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, which establishes nationwide minimum care standards in nursing homes. 

Under this act, residents have the right to be free from physical assault, psychological abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. The law also mandates that facilities maintain proper staffing levels and ensure the well-being of residents through appropriate care.

State-specific regulations further enhance these protections in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Health oversees the licensing and monitoring of nursing homes to ensure they comply with state standards. Facilities that violate these regulations can face fines, penalties, or loss of licensure, emphasizing the need to adhere to federal and state laws.

Legal action can be pursued by the nursing home neglect victim directly. If the victim cannot advocate for themselves, a family member or legal guardian can act on their behalf and represent their interests. 

If abuse results in a resident’s death, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim. Consulting with a nursing home neglect attorney can help clarify who has the right to file a claim and guide them through the legal process.

Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases 

Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be held liable in nursing home abuse and neglect cases. Liability extends beyond individual staff members to include nursing home operators, management, and sometimes external contractors. Holding all responsible parties accountable is essential for justice and preventing future harm to other residents.

• Nursing Home Facilities: Poor policies, inadequate training, or chronic understaffing can contribute to harmful conditions and make the nursing home liable for abuse or neglect. For example, a nursing home center may be responsible if neglect leads to bedsores or malnutrition among residents.
• Nursing Home Staff Members: Individual nursing home employees, such as aides or nurses, can be held personally accountable for acts of physical violence, verbal abuse, or neglect. If a staff member intentionally harms a nursing home resident or fails to provide necessary care, they may be subject to civil and criminal consequences.
• Nursing Home Administrators and Management: The nursing home operator ensures the facility operates within legal standards and that residents receive quality care. If poor oversight or inadequate employee screening results in abuse or neglect, these parties can be held legally responsible.
• Medical Professionals: Healthcare providers working in nursing homes can face liability for medical malpractice, such as medication errors or failure to treat medical conditions appropriately. This negligence can lead to severe harm or loss of life.
• Third-Party Contractors: Outside contractors, like physical therapists or maintenance workers, may also be liable if their actions contribute to nursing home injuries. For instance, a contractor who fails to repair safety hazards can be held accountable for resulting injuries.

How Our Baltimore Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Our Maryland nursing home abuse lawyers have extensive experience handling various nursing home negligence cases. We are dedicated to fighting for the rights of nursing home patients and their families, ensuring they receive financial settlement for the harm suffered. Below are the services we offer to support victims and their families:

Free Case Evaluation

We start with a free consultation to assess your case and discuss potential legal options. This initial step helps determine the strength of your nursing home abuse claim and answer any questions you might have.

Case Investigation

Our legal team conducts a thorough investigation, gathering crucial evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and facility reports. This information helps build a comprehensive case to show how the nursing home failed to meet its obligations and caused harm to the residents.

Filing the Claim

We manage all aspects of filing the claim, ensuring all necessary legal documents are submitted in accordance with Maryland law. This process includes coordinating with the relevant parties and making sure deadlines are met.

Settlement Negotiation

Our Baltimore nursing home attorneys are skilled negotiators who will seek fair settlements that reflect the full extent of damages, including medical treatment costs, emotional trauma, and physical pain. We work diligently with the insurance company and opposing parties to secure a fair outcome.

Trial Representation

Our lawyers are prepared to take your case to trial if negotiation doesn’t yield a favorable outcome. With our legal expertise and detailed case preparation, we will fight to secure maximum compensatory damages.

By offering these comprehensive services, our law firm ensures that your rights are protected and that negligent nursing homes are held accountable for the harm they cause.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

There are 107 Medicare-approved nursing homes in Baltimore, but many fail to provide quality care. Fifty-two facilities (49%) have an overall score rated below or much below average, indicating significant room for improvement in basic care standards.

The same percentage shows below-average performance in health inspections, suggesting persistent issues in maintaining regulatory compliance. Staffing levels are also concerning, with 39 facilities (36%) receiving low ratings, which can impact the quality of care provided to nursing home residents.

The most promising area is quality measures, where only 16 nursing homes (15%) have below-average scores, indicating that most facilities perform better in meeting residents’ needs. 

These statistics highlight the importance of addressing staffing and inspection deficiencies to ensure better overall care. [1]

Abuse can manifest in many forms, from physical violence to emotional and financial exploitation. Recognizing these common signs of nursing home neglect or abuse is vital to protecting vulnerable residents:

• Physical injuries or unexplained bruises and cuts
• Changes in behavior or mood swings
• Torn or stained clothing
• STIs or injuries around sensitive areas
• Bedsores
• Poor hygiene
• Weight loss and dehydration
• Untreated medical conditions
• Sudden financial changes, such as unexplained withdrawals
• Missing personal items
• Unpaid bills, even when the resident has sufficient funds

Families should stay vigilant for these signs and contact a Baltimore nursing home neglect attorney if they suspect elder abuse. Legal action can help protect the resident and hold the nursing home accountable for any abuse.

The worst-rate nursing homes in Baltimore include:

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you suspect elder abuse, take prompt action to protect your loved one. Here are the recommended steps:

• Call 911 if There is Immediate Danger: If the situation poses an immediate threat to the safety or life of a nursing home resident, call 911 to get urgent help from law enforcement and medical professionals.
• Report Nursing Home Abuse to Management: Inform the administrators about your concerns. Reporting the issue may lead to immediate corrective measures and an investigation by the facility.
• File a Complaint with Your Local Ombudsman’s Office: The local Ombudsman advocates for residents in nursing homes and assisted living centers. They help investigate and resolve complaints, ensuring residents’ rights are protected. Filing a complaint with the Ombudsman can initiate an impartial review of the situation.
• Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer: Consult an experienced nursing home neglect attorney to discuss your legal options. A lawyer can guide you through the legal process, help gather evidence, and file a nursing home abuse claim to seek compensatory damages.

Taking these steps can help ensure the safety of your loved one and hold nursing home facilities accountable for any wrongdoing.

Damages You Can Recover Through a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

Victims of nursing home abuse and their families may be entitled to various types of damages when pursuing a nursing home abuse claim. These damages aim to compensate for the harm caused and hold the nursing home facility accountable. Below are the main categories of damages that can be recovered:

Economic Damages

These cover quantifiable financial losses directly linked to the abuse or neglect:

• Medical expenses: Costs for treatments, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
• Cost of relocation: Expenses related to moving the resident to a safer facility.
• Lost assets: Reimbursement for funds or belongings stolen through financial abuse.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages address the emotional and psychological toll on the victim:

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional trauma experienced by the resident.
• Emotional distress: Damages related to mental anguish, anxiety, or depression caused by the abuse or neglect.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: When abuse or neglect diminishes a resident’s ability to enjoy daily activities and overall quality of life.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may be awarded when a nursing home or its employees commit intentional misconduct or extreme negligence. These damages are meant to punish the responsible parties and serve as a deterrent to similar future behavior.

Wrongful Death Damages

If nursing home abuse leads to the death of a resident, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim. Damages in such cases may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses: Costs related to end-of-life services.
• Loss of companionship: Compensation for the emotional loss suffered by family members due to the absence of their loved one.
• Loss of financial support: Damages for income or support that the deceased resident would have provided.

These damages can help alleviate families’ financial and emotional burden and ensure that nursing homes are held accountable for their failures. Consulting with a Baltimore nursing home abuse attorney is essential to understand what damages can be pursued in your specific case.

The Cost of Hiring a Baltimore Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

At our law firm, we understand that the financial burden can be a concern for families seeking justice for their loved ones. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis for nursing home negligence cases. This arrangement means there are no upfront costs or fees. Our payment is only collected if we successfully recover compensation for you.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Baltimore

If you suspect elder abuse in Baltimore, it is important to act quickly due to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for Maryland nursing home abuse cases is generally three years from the date of the incident or from when the abuse was discovered. This timeframe applies to claims involving physical abuse, medication errors, and financial exploitation.

Failing to file within this period can result in losing your right to pursue compensation and hold the nursing facility accountable. Certain circumstances, such as wrongful death, may impact the timeframe for filing a claim. 

Consulting an experienced Baltimore nursing home lawyer as soon as possible ensures your case is filed on time, preserving your legal rights and maximizing your chances for a successful outcome.

Contact a Baltimore Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

Our law firm has extensive experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases in Baltimore, helping victims and their families secure maximum financial compensation. 

With a proven track record of successful outcomes, we are committed to holding nursing homes and responsible parties accountable. Our team provides compassionate, skilled representation and ensures you feel supported and informed throughout the legal process.

If you suspect that a loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, don’t wait. Contact us for a free legal consultation to discuss your case and explore your options. Let us help protect your loved one’s rights.

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

References: [1] Medicare