Rockville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that impacts many nursing home residents each year. Families entrust nursing home facilities and assisted living centers in Rockville and surrounding areas with the well-being and care of their elderly loved ones, expecting a safe, supportive environment. 

Sadly, some facilities fail to uphold this duty, leading to instances of abuse and neglect that can cause lasting harm to vulnerable residents.

For victims and their families, discovering signs of nursing home abuse can be overwhelming. It’s essential to seek legal help from a qualified Rockville nursing home abuse lawyer to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable. 

Experienced attorneys provide guidance through the legal process, helping families pursue financial compensation for the injuries and suffering caused. With the support of a senior justice law firm, families can take vital steps toward protecting their loved ones, recovering compensation, and achieving justice in the face of elder abuse.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to pursuing fair compensation for victims of nursing home abuse. Our skilled legal team has extensive experience handling elder abuse cases with care and compassion, consistently achieving favorable settlements and verdicts.

We conduct comprehensive investigations to address every facet of abuse, from medical costs and emotional distress to other damages suffered. With our deep knowledge of nursing home abuse claims, we handle the legal process smoothly, fighting relentlessly to defend your rights.

From start to finish, we offer compassionate, transparent support, ensuring that you and your family stay informed, secure, and confident through each step of your case.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Rockville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse refers to any intentional harm, neglect, or exploitation that causes suffering, injury, or distress to residents. Abuse in nursing homes and assisted living facilities can take many forms, each leading to severe physical and emotional consequences for vulnerable residents. 

Our nursing home abuse lawyers handle a variety of abuse and neglect cases, including the following:

Physical Abuse

Elderly physical abuse includes actions that cause bodily harm, such as hitting, slapping, or improper use of restraints. This form of abuse can lead to broken bones, unexplained bruises, and other injuries.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Mental and emotional abuse in a long-term care facility can be as harmful as physical abuse, impacting a resident’s mental health and sense of well-being. This abuse may include verbal insults, threats, intimidation, or isolation from other residents.

Sexual Abuse

Sex abuse in nursing homes involves any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident. This form of abuse is a severe violation of trust and often targets residents who are unable to defend themselves. Signs of sexual abuse may include torn clothing, unexplained bruises, and behavioral changes, particularly around certain staff members.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice in nursing homes occurs when staff fail to provide adequate medical care, leading to preventable injuries or worsening health conditions. Common examples include bedsores (pressure ulcers) from prolonged immobility, medication errors, and improper medical treatment.

Negligence

Negligence is the failure to provide primary care, often resulting in poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, and even elopement (when residents wander unsupervised). Neglect in long-term care facilities can cause severe health issues, including weight loss, infections, and overall physical decline.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse occurs when someone within the facility exploits a resident’s finances for personal gain. This abuse may involve unauthorized access to bank accounts, coerced changes to financial documents, or outright theft of personal property.

Wrongful Death

In tragic cases, nursing home abuse or neglect results in the wrongful death of a resident. When abuse, neglect, or inadequate care leads to a resident’s untimely death, families can pursue a wrongful death claim. This legal action allows them to seek justice for the loved one’s suffering and hold the facility accountable for failing to provide a safe environment.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Nursing home residents have specific rights under federal and state laws to ensure they receive dignified care. These rights aim to protect residents from abuse, neglect, and exploitation in long-term care facilities.

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 is a federal law that established quality standards for nursing homes and granted residents essential rights, such as the right to be free from physical and mental abuse, receive adequate medical care, and be treated with respect. 

Under this law, nursing homes must meet specific standards to receive Medicare and Medicaid funding, ensuring that all residents have access to proper medical treatment and a safe environment.

In addition to federal protections, Maryland has its laws and regulations to safeguard nursing home residents. Maryland law requires nursing homes to follow strict guidelines regarding staffing levels, hygiene, and overall care to prevent neglect and abuse. These regulations hold nursing homes responsible for providing quality care to all residents, reducing the risk of harm.

Eligibility to File a Claim 

If a nursing home resident in Rockville has experienced abuse or neglect, they or their representative can file a nursing home abuse claim. Typically, the claim can be filed by:

• The nursing home resident, if they can represent themselves.
• A family member or legal guardian of the resident if they are incapacitated or unable to advocate for themselves.
• The estate representative of the resident, in the case of wrongful death or severe injury claims.

Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases 

In cases of nursing home neglect and abuse, multiple parties may bear responsibility for the harm caused to residents.

Nursing Home Staff Members

Individual caregivers, nurses, and aides are directly responsible for providing daily care to residents. When medical staff engage in physical abuse, neglect, or other harmful behaviors, they can be held liable for the injuries and emotional trauma suffered by residents.

Nursing Home Administrators and Management

Nursing home administrators and management must ensure that residents receive adequate care and that the facility complies with health and safety regulations. If inadequate supervision, poor hiring practices, or lack of training contribute to abuse, management may be liable for negligence.

The Facility Itself

The nursing home facility may be directly liable if systemic issues, such as understaffing or lack of proper resources, lead to neglect or abuse. For example, if a nursing home fails to maintain adequate staffing levels, leading to neglect, the facility can be held responsible for failing to meet regulatory standards.

Third-Party Contractors

Nursing homes sometimes hire third-party contractors, such as medical staff or maintenance personnel, to assist with resident care or facility upkeep. If these contractors cause harm or fail to provide proper care, they and their employers may also be held liable for contributing to the resident’s suffering.

Physicians and Medical Providers

Physicians, therapists, and other medical providers working within nursing homes are responsible for delivering appropriate medical care. If a resident suffers injuries due to medical malpractice, such as medication errors or improper treatment, the medical provider may be held liable for these acts.

Corporate Ownership

Many nursing homes are part of larger corporate entities that own and manage multiple facilities. These corporate owners may be held liable for policies that contribute to abuse or neglect, such as cost-cutting measures that compromise resident care.

How Our Rockville Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

With years of experience handling nursing home neglect cases, our nursing home abuse attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of vulnerable residents and securing justice for families impacted by neglect and abuse. 

Our personal injury team is skilled in handling complex cases involving physical, emotional, and financial abuse in nursing homes, and we strive to achieve the best possible outcome for each client. Here’s how we can help you and your family pursue justice:

Free Case Evaluation

We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation to help you understand your legal options. During this consultation, our attorneys will review your case, answer your questions, and guide your potential steps forward. This initial assessment gives you valuable insights to make informed decisions about pursuing a claim.

Case Investigation

Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to gather critical evidence that supports your case. This process includes obtaining medical records, facility documents, and witness statements to demonstrate the extent of abuse or neglect. We leave no stone unturned, ensuring all aspects of the abuse are uncovered and addressed.

Filing the Claim

Once the investigation is complete, our legal team will file a formal claim against the nursing home facility. We handle all necessary documentation and ensure deadlines are met, building a solid case that holds negligent facilities accountable for their actions.

Settlement Negotiation

Many nursing home cases are resolved through settlements. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who advocate fiercely on behalf of our clients to achieve fair financial compensation for medical expenses, emotional suffering, and other damages. We handle these discussions with the goal of securing the best outcome for you and your family.

Trial Representation

Our team is fully prepared to represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached. With extensive trial experience, our attorneys will present a compelling case to hold the nursing home accountable for their actions. We are dedicated to achieving maximum compensation and will take your case to trial if necessary to ensure that your loved one’s rights are protected.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

Rockville has 104 Medicare-certified nursing facilities, with 36% rated below or much below average overall. Specifically, 39% of homes fall short in health inspections, and 31% have inadequate staffing levels. 13% of facilities are rated poorly in quality measures. [1]

Recognizing signs of elder abuse in nursing home patients is essential for family members who want to protect their loved ones. Abuse can take many forms, and while some indicators are more pronounced, other warning signs may be subtle.

• Physical injuries like bruises, cuts, broken bones, or burns with no clear explanation;
• A noticeable change in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn, fearful, anxious, or depressed;
• Untreated medical issues, such as infections, worsening chronic illnesses, or injuries;
• Poor hygiene and unsanitary living conditions;
• Bedsores and pressure ulcers;
• Unexpected bank withdrawals, missing belongings, or changes in financial documents.

The worst-rated nursing homes in Rockville include:

The Cost of Hiring a Rockville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

At Nursing Home Law Center, we understand that families facing nursing home abuse or neglect are already dealing with emotional and financial challenges. To make legal help accessible, our firm works on a contingency fee basis. 

This arrangement means you won’t pay any upfront costs or hourly fees. Instead, our payment is contingent on winning your case; we only receive a fee if we secure compensation for you.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Rockville

If you suspect that a loved one has suffered injuries from nursing home abuse or neglect in Rockville, it’s essential to act quickly due to the statute of limitations. In Maryland, the statute of limitations for filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit is generally three years from the date the abuse occurred or was discovered. 

Filing within this period is crucial; if the deadline passes, you may lose the right to pursue compensation.

Contact a Rockville Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

With years of experience handling nursing home abuse cases, our team at Nursing Home Law Center is dedicated to advocating for the rights of vulnerable residents and securing justice for families impacted by neglect and abuse.

Our Maryland nursing home abuse attorney team understands the complex challenges involved in these cases and has a strong track record of achieving compensation for the pain, suffering, and losses endured by nursing home patients.

If you suspect that a loved one has experienced abuse or neglect in a Rockville nursing home, don’t wait to take action. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options.

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

References: [1] Medicare