When residents of nursing homes suffer harm because they are improperly cared for, they’ve been the victims of nursing home neglect. This improper care can lead to physical injury, illness, and even death if allowed to continue. If you suspect your loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect, there are a few steps you should take to protect them.
Recognizing the Signs of Neglect
The first step is to recognize the signs of neglect. Nursing home neglect can be harder to spot than nursing home abuse, which may leave bruising and lacerations. Instead, you should look at how your loved one interacts with the doctors and nurses.
Signs of nursing home neglect may include:
- Your loved one refusing to call for help when they need it
- Your loved one not receiving their prescribed medications on time
- Your loved one being left alone in their room for extended periods
- Your loved one not being bathed and changed into fresh clothes regularly
- Your loved one’s injuries or illnesses being ignored or brushed off
- Your loved one is exhibiting signs of depression or anxiety
If your loved one’s caretakers aren’t meeting your loved one’s medical needs, that is a clear sign of neglect. And if your loved one isn’t seeking help, that could be a sign that they haven’t received it in the past when requested.
Documenting Evidence of Neglect
Documenting evidence of the neglect is crucial for your case, which you can do by taking the following steps:
- Take photos and videos of your loved one and the environment they’re living in. Do they have bed sores or other injuries? Is their room filthy? These are pieces of evidence you should document.
- Keep detailed notes of times when you believe negligence occurred. For example, if you visit and notice that your loved one hasn’t bathed in a few days, write down the date and time of your visit along with any other important details.
- Request your loved one’s medical records to see if and when doctors treated them and for what. Are they not seeing doctors they’re supposed to see, or are they seeing doctors more often than expected?
- Collect witness statements from your loved one, other residents, staff members, or other visitors. Someone else might have seen signs of neglect but didn’t know how to report it.
Reporting Nursing Home Neglect
If you suspect your loved one is suffering from nursing home neglect in Maryland, you should report it to the appropriate authorities:
- The Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Quality oversees nursing homes and will investigate your report.
- You can also file a report with the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Office of Adult Services. Their job is to protect the safety and welfare of vulnerable adults, such as those in nursing homes.
- If you suspect abuse is also happening, contact your local police.
How an Attorney Can Help
An attorney can assist you in building your case against the nursing home or specific employees you believe are behind the neglect. For example, they can use their experience investigating claims to gather additional evidence supporting yours.
Your attorney will also represent you and your loved one in settlement negotiations with the at-fault party. And if your case goes to trial, your attorney will present your case before the judge and jury, seeking the maximum compensation available.
Maryland Nursing Home Neglect Attorney
Is your loved one the victim of nursing home neglect in Maryland? Contact the compassionate nursing home neglect attorneys of Simeone & Miller LLP for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your claim, explain your legal options, and assist you in reporting the neglect to the proper authorities. And we won’t charge you a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
