NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE INJURY ATTORNEY IN BOWIE, MD
For elders in the Prince George’s County area looking for a nursing home to fit their needs, Bowie, Maryland is often a place they look. There are 15 nursing homes in the city alone, and many more nearby in the surrounding areas. There are instances of nursing home abuse, injury and negligence, unfortunately taking place within some of these facilities. No one ever expects a family member or friend to be the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Residents are vulnerable, and family and friends rely upon the facility to ensure that their loved one receives the care he or she deserves.
Nursing home negligence occurs 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 abuse attorneys at Whitney, LLP offer free legal consultations for all of our clients interested in pursuing a claim against a nursing home for negligence resulting in injuries. Take a look at what clients have to say about us.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE NURSING HOME ABUSE AND NEGLIGENCE?
The definition of elderly nursing home abuse as given by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) is “any abuse and neglect of persons age 60 and older by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust.” With over 3 million Americans currently living in an assisted living facility, it is important to be able to help them and recognize abuse by a caregiver. The CDC breaks down elderly nursing home abuse into six categories:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Financial abuse
- Abandonment
Putting a loved one in a nursing home is often the first thought when you realize you do not have the means to adequately care for them. Before that step is taken, however, it is important to thoroughly research the facilities they will live in. Unhealthy care at nursing home facilities is, unfortunately, more prevalent than one may imagine. Vetting and researching the facilities is a relatively simple step that can be used to decrease the chances of letting your loved one live in a place that is unfit for them. Equipping yourself with the knowledge to spot the “warning signs” of abuse is an incredibly important step that can protect the mental and physical health of your loved one as well.
LEARNING HOW TO SPOT ELDERLY NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE INJURY
Neglect is the failure of the facility, its employees, or service providers to provide proper services while taking care of your loved one. 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. Often a family member or friend will not witness the abuse or neglect. Here are “warning signs” to identify elder abuse/neglect:
- 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
RECEIVE HELP FROM OUR BALTIMORE, MD ELDERLY NURSING HOME INJURY ATTORNEYS
If any of your loved ones have been a victim of elder nursing home abuse, injury or neglect, you should obtain professional legal representation to discuss the next steps, including getting them to a safe environment. The Bowie nursing home negligence lawyers at Whitney, LLP offer free legal consultations to help you understand what your options are. For help with your case, call Whitney, LLP today to get your free legal consultation. Our number is (410) 583-8000. There are no fees or expenses until we recover compensation for you.