Frederick Nursing Home Lawyers

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Nursing Home Lawyers Frederick, MD

Top 5 Red Flags Indicating Nursing Home Abuse

Moving your loved one to a nursing home likely is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make. Even when no reasonable alternative exists, you nevertheless may find yourself constantly worrying about the care he or she is receiving. Unfortunately, your concern may be justified.

The National Center for Victims of Crime reports that in 2013 alone, 10,000 abuse and neglect complaints were filed against nursing homes nationwide. The number rose to 14,000 complaints in 2014. In some cases, Frederick MD nursing home lawyers may need to be called. 

Types of Abuse

Nursing home abuse complaints break down as follows:

• Physical abuse – 27.4%
• Resident-on-resident abuse – 22.4%
• Psychological abuse – 19.4%
• Gross neglect – 15.3%
• Sexual abuse – 7.9%
• Financial abuse or exploitation – 7.9%

What to Look For

Each time you visit your parent, be alert to the following red flags that could indicate that your parent is suffering from abuse:

1. Injuries
2. Mobility loss
3. Poor hygiene
4. Poor nutrition
5. Poor attitude

1. Injuries

Under no circumstances should your parent ever exhibit any of the following injuries:

• Broken bones
  •Burns
  •Bruises
  •Cuts
  •Bed sores
  •Welts

If he or she does, take immediate action. Insist on speaking with not only your parent’s regular caregiver(s), but also the nursing home administrator and your parent’s doctor. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and demand answers regarding what happened and how it happened. You may also wish to consult local Frederick MD nursing home lawyers experienced in handling nursing home abuse cases.

2. Mobility Loss

Even if your loved one suffers from a condition such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, the nursing home should not allow him or her to lie in bed all day. Rather, they should encourage him or her to walk as much as possible and help him or her do so safely. A noticeable loss of mobility is a definite indication that nursing home employees are not adequately doing their jobs.

3. Poor Hygiene

Your loved one should always appear neat and clean, both in body and in dress. His or her hair should be clean and combed, and his or her fingernails and toenails should be clean and properly trimmed. You should detect no mouth or body odor. His or her room and bathroom should be clean and uncluttered, with no sign of mold, dust or other unhealthy conditions.

4. Poor Nutrition

Your loved one should look reasonably well fed and well hydrated. Pay particular attention to any rapid weight loss or if he or she complains about the lack of tasty food and drinks.

5. Poor Attitude

If your loved one seems to be depressed or unwilling to talk with you the way he or she normally does, this could be a sign that he or she is experiencing psychological abuse by nursing home employees or residents. Again, try to get to the bottom of the problem, don’t hesitate to file a complaint if you feel one is necessary, and possibly contact Frederick MD nursing home lawyers. 

Frederick MD nursing home lawyers can help get you the compensation you and your family deserve. Our attorneys have settled more than 10,000 cases since 1993. Contact the attorneys at Cohen & Cohen today at (202) 955-4529 for a free case evaluation. 

SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR ABUSE

Senior residents and family members alike can seek compensation for injuries and punitive damages that are the result of abuse. We highly recommend that you consult with a lawyer at Cohen & Cohen before taking any action against the nursing home facility. We can help you be strategic and powerful in holding those accountable for their actions. When it comes to proving a claim, there are certain factors that your Frederick, MD nursing home lawyer needs to be able to prove:

That a contract existed between the resident and nursing home binding a standard duty of care
The nursing home failed to maintain their duty in caring for the resident, either due to intentional actions, omission, and/or negligence
That the harm the resident suffered was a direct or related result of the negligence or abusive actions.
OPTIONS IN ADDRESSING THE MISTREATMENT

There are many ways that you can go about responding to the incident of neglect or abuse. Firstly, you can file a report directly with the facility and see what response you get from management. If the letter you receive back is satisfactory and corrective measures have been taken, then you may not want to take further action.

A nursing home lawyer who is familiar with Frederick, MD nursing homes and courts may be able to help you make more informed decisions about what your next steps should be.

However, do keep in mind that incidents of mistreatment may happen again, especially if the facility has a record for misconduct with residents. Perhaps a more thorough and preventative action to take is filing a lawsuit against the facility for compensation. A lawyer at Cohen & Cohen who is licensed to defend nursing home abuse victims in Frederick and throughout MD, can work alongside you as you prepare for legal action by:

Gathering proof, evidence, photographs of abuse, and other information
Filing a claim to the courts for that jurisdiction, in which the facility shall receive a notice of action
Getting a statement from your loved one about all the incidents of negligent or abuse he or she endured
Preparing for trial if a settlement cannot be reached

For more information about nursing home mistreatment and the process of filing a lawsuit, do not hesitate to contact us with questions. We also offer free initial consultations with a lawyer at Cohen & Cohen if you want to meet in person to discuss the situation in further depth. Do not let the abuse continue, please reach out to us today so we can start fighting for your loved one’s behalf.

For a highly rated Frederick, MD nursing home abuse lawyer you can rely on, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation with no obligations.