When you place a loved one in a nursing home, it is with the expectation that he or she will receive treatment and will be treated with respect, dignity and concern. When a Maryland nursing home or extended care facility fails in its duty to provide a certain standard of care, innocent and vulnerable adults may suffer.
If you suspect that your family member has received inadequate care or is suffering due to negligence or any type of abuse, you need a strong and experienced legal ally acting on your behalf. You can seek justice on behalf of your loved one, fighting to hold the liable parties accountable for his or her pain and suffering.
Recognizing the signs of elder abuse or negligent care
Nursing home residents have the right to a safe and comfortable environment, free from unnecessary hazards and threats to their personal safety. If you are unsure if your loved one was mistreated, you may recognize some of the following indicators of nursing home abuse or neglect:
- Unexplained bruises
- Broken bones or fractures
- Bedsores
- Complications from incorrect medication
- Sudden weight loss
- Depression
- Improperly restraining a resident
- Injuries from falls
The devastating injuries that may result from elder abuse or neglect can be both financially and emotionally devastating. Your loved one has the right to seek compensation for medical care, emotional duress and other losses that were incurred due to the mistreatment received while at a nursing care facility.
If your loved one died while living at a nursing home, a medical condition or natural causes may not be the cause. If the death was preventable or caused by improper care, you could consider seeking wrongful death compensation.
Speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves
It is always devastating to learn that a loved one received mistreatment at the hands of people who were supposed to provide compassionate care. Whether the negligence was related to understaffing or a blatant lack of concern for patient well-being, a lawyer can determine what factors played a role in what happened and identify all liable parties.
You have the right to speak up for a family member who is unable to speak for him or herself, but you do not have to do it alone.
