Nursing Home Lawyers Montgomery County, MD
Even though many of us think of nursing homes as safe places to send our loved ones when they cannot take care of themselves, there are many forms of nursing home abuse and neglect that warrant the need for good nursing home lawyers Montgomery County, MD residents can rely on.
Nursing homes are supposed to be protective places for the elderly to receive around-the-clock medical care. Some residents need intensive care while others just need a safe place to live while managing their medical conditions. Sadly, many of these places do not provide the quality of care that you would expect. Nursing home negligence is a very common occurrence.
There are some very startling statistics about nursing home abuse that the public may not realize. The following statistics are very telling — especially when you consider that a nursing home is supposed to be a place of quality medical care for the elderly.
If you think that someone you love is being abused or suffering from neglect, it may be in their best interest for you to contact reputable nursing home lawyers in Montgomery County, MD, or lawyers in the jurisdiction where the nursing home is located.
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Eighty percent (80%) of all abuse cases are not reported.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes that only 20% of all nursing home negligence cases are actually reported. This is due to the fact that around half of nursing home residents don’t have close family members who can oversee their care or who will notice when abuse occurs. Additionally, many forms of abuse are not reported because the resident is simply unable or fears retaliation for doing so.
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An estimated 90% of all nursing homes are considered to be understaffed.
When you do not have an adequate staff helping residents, it is virtually impossible to provide quality medical care to each one. A single nurse’s aide may have to care for 30 people per shift without any assistance, although the typical ratio is usually around 1:15. Many nursing homes only employ one or two doctors to visit a couple of times a week.
These kinds of numbers are likely not sufficient care for your loved one and this may be able to be fought with the help of nursing home lawyers in Montgomery County or in other parts of MD.
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Twenty-five percent (25%) of all nursing homes have repeatedly been cited for a preventable death or serious injury of a resident.
Around one out of every four nursing homes in the United States has been cited for being the responsible party for a resident’s death or serious injury. This does not include simple injuries or unreported injuries. While it’s impossible to know the data for certain, the CDC believes that over 75% of all nursing homes may be responsible for at least one death or serious injury each year.
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One-third of all nursing home residents are likely over-medicated.
Because nursing homes have a tendency to be understaffed, some doctors over-medicate patients as a way to keep them passive. The elderly population has the highest rate of being prescribed antipsychotic medications than any other age group in the country. While some may need these medications to help cope with certain types of dementia, many others receive these dangerous prescriptions as a way to keep them subdued.
Over medicating someone, especially when there is no medical reason to do so, is abuse that should be fought. Many people find it easier and more efficient to do this with the help of nursing home lawyers who are familiar with Montgomery County courts, or the courts in MD where your claim should be filed.
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Dehydration and malnutrition are two of the most common types of nursing home negligence.
The body needs water and nutrients to function properly. Without sufficient liquids, the body can go into organ failure, some conditions may worsen, and dementia may become more pronounced. Lack of staffing often leaves nursing home patients without sufficient water or other liquids to drink each day.
Speak to an Attorney
If you or your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, it is important to speak to a personal injury lawyer who has a track record of successfully defending victims of nursing home abuse. The victim or a loved one may seek compensation for the injuries the victim suffered from as a result of abuse. This compensation can help cover the cost of the victim’s recovery.
For highly rated nursing home lawyers Montgomery County, MD nursing home abuse victims and their families can rely on, contact Cohen & Cohen any time of the day or evening, any day of the year.
