If you are someone who was faced with having to put your loved one in a nursing home, you most likely worry every day about whether they are adequately caring for your loved one, as you would. The unfortunate reality of the matter is that though there are many great nursing homes in the state of Maryland, there are also many nursing homes that are not so great–to put it mildly. If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of nursing home negligence, you are most likely wondering how to proceed. We can help. Please read on and reach out to our knowledgeable Maryland personal injury attorneys to learn more about nursing home negligence/abuse and how we can help you get your loved one to safety and recover the compensation you both need to attain justice. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What are some signs of nursing home negligence/abuse?
There are various tell-tale signs that your loved one is either being neglected or abused by nursing home staff, and keeping an eye out for the following warning signs may save your loved one from extensive trauma. In fact, it may even save your loved one’s life.
- Having unexplained bruises
- Showing fear or acting scared when certain aids enter the room
- Pressure sores or ulcers
- Malnutrition
- Complaints of discomfort
- Complaints of thirst
- Complains of hunger
- Complaints of verbal abuse/harassment
- Complaints of physical abuse
- Reports of falling
What should I do if I believe my loved one is the victim of nursing home negligence/abuse?
Rather obviously, this is a very time-sensitive matter, which is why you must act quickly. You should do the following:
- Report the abuse or neglect to nursing home management. You should also report the incident of abuse/neglect to the Maryland Board of Nursing, as well as the Long Term Care Unit of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Additionally, if your loved one is in imminent danger, you should report the incident to the police so they can document the incident and get your loved one to safety, and also ensure that your loved one receives the necessary medical care.
- Ensure that you take several pictures or videos of the instance of abuse/neglect. For instance, if there are mold/unsafe living conditions, document these extensively before staff has a chance to clear them away.
- Ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident for their contact information.
- Hire a Maryland medical malpractice attorney who can work to uncover all additional evidence needed to prove your claim.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED MARYLAND FIRM
The legal team at Markey & Orsi has proudly represented injured clients throughout the state of Maryland for almost 30 years. If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence and require strong legal representation, contact Markey & Orsi today to schedule a consultation.