Nursing Home Lawyer Cheverly MD
The sad fact is that nursing home abuse is all too common and many loved ones of elders have had to turn to a nursing home lawyer Cheverly MD families trust in order to get justice. The legal firm of Cohen & Cohen recognizes that elder abuse is simply unacceptable. Our attorneys work with the families of loved ones who are suffering from elder abuse and nursing home neglect. We want to fight for their rights and work hard to secure the compensation they deserve.
If you are concerned that a loved one is being neglected or abused while in the care of a nursing home facility, we encourage you to call our office without delay. We offer a free consultation, during which you can discuss your concerns with one of our attorneys who can offer an honest assessment of your case.
There are numerous ways in which an elder can be abused or neglected while in a nursing home. Below is some general information which you may find helpful in advance of meeting with a nursing home lawyer Cheverly MD offers.
Types and Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse
Abuse or neglect can take many forms and may fall into any or all of the below categories:
- Neglect. A caregiver has a moral and legal responsibility to care for those entrusted to them for their wellbeing. An experienced nursing home lawyer Cheverly MD clients believe in may explain that signs of a neglected nursing home patient can include:
- A lack of proper hygiene
- Malnourishment
- Dehydration which can be detected by symptoms of extremely dry skin or constant thirst
- Unsanitary conditions including soiled clothing, bed, general living area
- Failure to provide medications as instructed by physicians resulting in over- or under-medicating
- Steady or sudden weight loss
- Bedsores, abrasions, or blisters
- Physical abuse. The elderly are particularly susceptible to physical abuse because they are usually unable to defend themselves. Additionally, due to memory or communication issues, they may be unable to tell loved ones they are being abused. When meeting with a nursing home lawyer Cheverly MD relies on, inform them if you have observed any of the following signs of physical abuse:
- Bruising
- Cuts or abrasions
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Blood stained clothing or bedding
- Torn clothing
- Sexual abuse. Non-consensual sexual behavior or contact can take many forms including physical or nonphysical events such as forced voyeurism. The abused elder may experience physical and emotional pain, confusion, depression, anxiety, and shame as a result. It may be challenging or impossible for them to tell their children or other loved ones of the abuse, and they may not even understand what is happening. A nursing home lawyer Cheverly MD victims turns to for help may recognize any of the following as signs of possible sexual abuse:
- Behavioral changes such as acute anxiety, depression, confusion, insomnia, lack of interest in eating, fear of being alone, sudden and intense crying, anger
- Blood stained clothing or bedding
- Torn clothing
- Venereal disease
- Bleeding in the anal or genital regions
- Bruising or abrasions in the anal or genital regions
- Emotional abuse. When an elder is in the care of a nursing facility, they usually do not have the power to remove themselves from the facility or from situations. They may be subject to humiliation, verbal threats, yelling, mockery, and isolationism. An experienced nursing home lawyer Cheverly MD can provide understands how devastating emotional abuse can be for anyone, in particular defenseless, elder, loved ones. Indications of emotional abuse might be:
- Staff separation of a patient from the rest of the residents
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Behavioral changes such as acute anxiety, depression, confusion, insomnia, lack of interest in eating, fear of being alone, sudden and intense crying, anger
- Financial exploitation. Nursing home abuse can include stealing money or property from an elder. A nursing home lawyer Cheverly MD respects may suggest you look for:
- Unexplained or unnecessary ATM withdrawals, cashed checks, or credit card purchases in large or small amounts
- Missing personal property such as jewelry, wedding ring, watch, wallet, or other items normally kept in their room or on their person
- Possible identity theft
- Expenditures on the part of your loved one since entering the nursing home for charities, contests, or “investment opportunities”
Even if you haven’t witnessed any of the above symptoms, that does not rule out the possibility that your loved one is being abused or neglected. Consult with an experienced Cheverly MD nursing home lawyer if you see any of these general signs of a serious problem:
- The nursing home staff refuses to allow family or friends visit with the elder alone or without a staff member present.
- The nursing home staff delays visits of family or friends with the elder patient.
- Consistent tension or arguments arise between the resident and a staff member.
- Your loved one voices concerns or issues regarding the facility in general or about particular staff members.
- You observe or detect inappropriate behavior of any kind on behalf of any staff member with any of the facility’s residents.
Taking the first steps to confront possible elder abuse in a nursing home can be very scary. A reputable and ethically responsible facility should be able to appreciate your concern about your loved one’s care and not be hostile in their response.
In addition to your loved one, the well being of the other residents may also be at risk. In taking action to protect your family member, you may also be helping other victims of abuse.
The attorneys of Cohen & Cohen are committed to fighting for the rights of victims who have suffered nursing home abuse. Call now to arrange for a free case evaluation with a Cohen & Cohen nursing home lawyer in Cheverly MD. Our legal team has the medical malpractice skills and personal injury resources that families need to fight for their loved ones who have been mistreated by the nursing home charged with protecting them. Contact our firm without delay if you are in need of a nursing home lawyer Cheverly MD is proud to have in the community.
