Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Maryland

Physical Abuse

Intentional physical attacks by the medical staff or other residents that are meant to hurt are considered physical abuse. Sadly, they are more frequent than ever before and are usually used to control or punish the residents. It involves pushing, slapping, pinching, restraining, kicking, or hitting – any action that can harm a resident. The signs of physical abuse can be broken bones, bruises, burns, or cuts.

Emotional/Psychological/Verbal Abuse

Yelling, swearing, demeaning, controlling, intimidating, threatening, ignoring, or insulting the patient can cause a hostile environment and result in anxiety, depression, insecurity, or irritability of your loved one. Isolating the resident from social activities and interactions is also considered psychological abuse.

Medical Abuse

Nursing home staff that fails to administer the right medical treatment, does not address the medical conditions, or fails to inform the doctor of the resident’s condition are forms of medical abuse. Medical mistreatment can even lead to death, so you may be eligible to bring a wrongful death case against the people responsible for your loss.

Nutritional Abuse

Failing to provide a proper diet and enough water can endanger the health of the resident. Signs of dehydration and malnutrition can be exhaustion, confusion, sudden weight loss, or illness.

Financial Abuse

If your loved one shows a sudden change in a financial situation, it is a sign to check whether he or she has experienced financial abuse. The resident’s caregiver may be committing financial abuse by misusing or stealing his or her funds, property, or other assets. If you notice unexplained withdrawals from the accounts, unnecessary purchases of services or goods, or cash or valuable items missing from the victim’s room, it is time to consult a nursing home injury lawyer in Maryland.

Neglect

When the residents are denied care and services they need from their caregivers, it is considered neglect. Although it is one of the most common types of nursing home abuse, it is often overlooked. It can go from a failure to meet the basic needs of the resident (leaving them malnourished or dehydrated) to a failure to provide adequate help in basic hygiene practices and provide a safe and clean living environment.

Elopement

Residents that are confused due to their condition are often uncertain of their surroundings, so they may try to leave the premises. If the nursing home employees fail to use or do not have the established security system that alerts them of the eloping residents, the residents may end up getting hurt. This is especially dangerous during the winter when hypothermia can threaten the resident.

Sexual Abuse

Unfortunately, sexual abuse also happens in nursing homes. Assaults, coerced nudity, unwanted touch, or any other sexual contact that is without consent is considered sexual abuse. Residents with memory loss or communication issues are susceptible to sexual abuse by their caregivers, staff, or other residents.

Understaffing

There must be a reasonable amount of staff in every nursing home, as they will have enough time to provide adequate care to every resident. When there are not enough employees, the residents are more susceptible to negligence and abuse.

Negligent Hiring

Not properly investigating the employees may result in people with criminal records, drug abuse, or behavioral issues falling through the nursing home investigative cracks. Nursing homes must hire professionals with the proper medical degrees, relevant experience, and training, along with no record of violence.

Inadequate Training

Nursing home employees must be properly trained to provide the residents with a proper level of care. If the inadequately trained employees fail to recognize the resident’s health conditions, it can put their health at risk and have serious consequences.

Breach of Resident’s Rights

Nursing home residents have the right to:

• Participate in one’s own care
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Dignity, respect, and freedom

Violating residents’ rights may hold a nursing home liable, so they must meet federal standards that entitle seniors to enjoy individual dignity and self-determination.

Third-Party Abuse

Nursing homes must create a safe environment for their residents. Suppose an intruder, another resident, or a visitor injures a resident. In that case, the nursing home can be found liable – they must provide adequate security measures to prevent such acts from occurring.