NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE INJURY ATTORNEY IN ANNAPOLIS, MD
Maryland’s capital, Annapolis, is home to roughly 39,000 people. Out of those 39,000, 13 percent of Annapolis’ citizens are considered senior citizens. That equates to around 5,000 senior citizens who are applicable to live under the care of a nursing home. Although Annapolis has many nursing homes for families to choose where to send their elderly loved ones, it doesn’t always mean these nursing homes provide the best care. Negligence can lead to injury when the facility fails to protect its residents from health and safety hazards. This can result in injuries such as broken bones, bedsores, pressure ulcers, dehydration, malnutrition, and other medical conditions which cause harm and even death. When this happens, it is important to immediately address the situation, which often includes obtaining legal representation to protect the rights of the injured. The nursing home injury and abuse attorneys at Whitney, LLP offer free legal consultations for all of our clients interested in pursuing a claim against a nursing home for physical abuse or injuries. Take a look at what clients have to say about us.
WHAT IS NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE OR ABUSE?
Nursing home abuse and neglect can happen in many different forms. Abuse can be physical, emotional, or financial. Both women and men are at risk of abuse, but women are the most common victims. Elderly people with mental illnesses, medical impairments, and poor medical health are also more susceptible to abuse from a caregiver. Caregivers at nursing homes are the most common perpetrators of neglecting and abusing the elderly people in their care. Often times, caregivers abuse and neglect the elderly people in their care because:
- They lack adequate training;
- The nursing home is understaffed; and
- Caregivers experience burnout or frustration
Nursing homes have a responsibility to care for their residents while providing excellent care and treatment. Unfortunately, many nursing homes or living facilities are owned by profit-oriented chains that look to save money by neglecting the level of care provided to their residents. As well, nursing homes will intentionally understaff their facilities to cut back on costs even further. As the elder population significantly grows, the need for nursing home facilities also grows but has become a very competitive business. With nursing homes trying to cut corners on costs to compete with other local facilities, the wellbeing of the residents within these homes are at major risk. With elderly patients also suffering from mental illnesses such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, this leaves them extremely vulnerable and prone to becoming a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse.
SIGNS OF NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE
Over 5 million elders are abused yearly, but only 1 in 14 cases are actually reported. A nursing home resident depends on the facility taking care of them, and family and friends rely upon the care providers to ensure that their loved one receives the attention he or she deserves. Unfortunately, proper care is not always provided and that leads to injuries and harm, which can arise from negligence in many forms. If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected while in the care of a nursing home, it is crucial to keep your eyes open for warning signs. Signs of abuse and neglect include but are not limited to:
- Bedsores
- Falls with injuries and/or unexplained injuries
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Unsanitary conditions
- Overmedicating patient
- Sudden changes in patient behavior or prognosis
- Signs of sexual abuse, venereal diseases, or genital infections
- Staff refusing or delaying visits by the family to see the resident
- A transfer to hospital for an infection, wound care, or malnutrition
ANNAPOLIS, MD ELDER NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE INJURY ATTORNEYS CAN HELP
If you find out that either you or a loved one have become a victim of elder nursing home abuse, you may be eligible to file a claim and receive proper compensation for the mental and emotional distress that has been suffered. The Annapolis nursing home injury and abuse lawyers at Whitney, LLP offer free legal consultations to help you understand what your options are and how to proceed. For help with your case, call Whitney, LLP today to set up a free legal consultation on your case. Our number is (410) 583-8000. There are no fees or expenses until we recover compensation for you.