When a family member enters a nursing home, you expect them to receive compassionate, quality care. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect occur in facilities across Maryland, leaving vulnerable residents injured and families devastated.
If you suspect your loved one is experiencing mistreatment, CHASENBOSCOLO can investigate your case to hold responsible parties accountable.
With offices in Waldorf and throughout Maryland, we provide accessible legal representation on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call (301) 220-0050 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Why Choose CHASENBOSCOLO for Your Nursing Home Abuse Case
CHASENBOSCOLO brings decades of experience to nursing home abuse cases. Since 1986, our firm has recovered over $1.1 billion for injured clients across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. Our team includes 25 attorneys, many recognized as Super Lawyers and AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability and ethical standards.
Michael D. Reiter, one of our shareholders, focuses on nursing home neglect cases. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer. Our attorneys have handled hundreds of cases involving facility negligence. These include bedsores, falls, and wrongful death claims. We’ve secured settlements exceeding $950,000 in nursing home neglect cases. This demonstrates our commitment to obtaining fair compensation for families.
Our approach emphasizes dignity and compassion for every client. Our 24/7 availability means you can reach us when you need answers most. We work on contingency, eliminating financial barriers to justice. We pursue cases through settlement negotiations or trial advocacy. Our attorneys have conducted over 1000 jury trials in the past five years.
Understanding Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Waldorf
Nursing home abuse takes many forms. Families often don’t recognize mistreatment until serious harm occurs. Understanding what constitutes abuse helps you identify warning signs and take protective action.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse includes hitting, pushing, slapping, or inappropriate use of restraints. Sexual abuse and assault represent serious criminal conduct. Facilities have a duty to prevent these acts through proper screening and supervision. Emotional abuse—intimidation, humiliation, isolation, or verbal threats—causes psychological harm that may not be immediately visible.
Financial Exploitation
Financial exploitation occurs when staff or family members misappropriate a resident’s money or assets. Neglect, perhaps the most common form of abuse, involves failure to provide adequate care. This includes inadequate nutrition and hydration, poor hygiene, medication errors, insufficient supervision, and failure to treat infections or wounds.
Common Signs Your Loved One May Be Experiencing Abuse
Look for the common signs of elder abuse in nursing homes when you visit your loved one. Remember that they may not want to talk about the abuse because they may be under threat.
Unexplained Injuries
Families should watch for unexplained injuries, bruises, or fractures. Staff should be able to explain these injuries clearly. Pressure sores and bedsores develop when residents aren’t turned regularly or kept clean. These are preventable with proper care and indicate serious neglect.
Poor Hygiene, Malnutrition, Weight Loss
Poor hygiene, malnutrition, and unexplained weight loss suggest inadequate feeding and personal care. Sudden behavioral changes—withdrawal, fear, anxiety, or aggression—may indicate emotional or physical abuse. Medication errors or overmedication can cause confusion, drowsiness, or dangerous drug interactions.
Falls and injuries from inadequate supervision are common in understaffed facilities. Sepsis and untreated infections develop when wounds aren’t properly monitored. Urinary tract infections that go untreated can become serious. Any combination of these signs warrants immediate investigation.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse Cases We Handle
Our attorneys have extensive experience with the specific injuries and negligence patterns that characterize nursing home abuse. We understand the medical and legal complexities of each case type.
Bedsores and Pressure Ulcers
Pressure ulcers develop when residents remain in one position too long. Proper turning and repositioning prevents these wounds. Facilities have established protocols for prevention. Failure to follow them constitutes negligence. These wounds can progress from minor skin irritation to deep tissue damage requiring surgical intervention. Severe bedsores lead to infections, sepsis, and death. We’ve handled numerous cases where preventable bedsores caused permanent disability or death.
Falls and Fractures
Falls represent the leading cause of injury in nursing homes. Facilities must maintain safe environments and provide adequate supervision. They must use appropriate assistive devices. Falls resulting in hip fractures, spinal injuries, or head trauma often cause permanent disability. In cases involving understaffing or failure to use fall prevention protocols, facilities bear responsibility for resulting injuries.
Medication Errors and Overmedication
Nursing homes must maintain accurate medication records. They must administer drugs according to physician orders. Errors in dosing, timing, or drug interactions can cause serious harm. Some facilities use sedating medications as chemical restraints to manage difficult residents. This practice violates residents’ rights and causes injury.
Malnutrition and Dehydration
Residents depend on facility staff for nutrition and hydration. Failure to provide adequate meals or assist residents with eating causes malnutrition and dehydration. Failure to accommodate dietary restrictions also causes harm. These conditions are particularly dangerous for elderly residents. They are especially dangerous for those with swallowing difficulties. Malnutrition and dehydration can lead to aspiration pneumonia and death.
Sepsis and Untreated Infections
Urinary tract infections are common in nursing homes but treatable if identified promptly. Delayed treatment allows infection to progress to sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition. Similarly, wound infections from bedsores or injuries must be monitored and treated. Failure to recognize and treat infections constitutes negligence.
Maryland’s Legal Framework for Nursing Home Abuse Cases
Understanding Maryland law helps families recognize their rights. It also emphasizes the importance of acting quickly.
Statute of Limitations
Maryland law provides a three-year window from the date of discovery of injury. You must file a nursing home abuse lawsuit within this timeframe. This deadline is critical. Missing it eliminates your right to recover compensation. If your loved one has passed away, the statute of limitations may be extended. However, time remains limited. We recommend contacting an attorney immediately upon discovering abuse.
Under Maryland Code § 19-509.1, facilities must report suspected abuse to the Department of Health. This statute establishes mandatory reporting requirements that protect residents.
Who Can Be Held Liable
Liability extends beyond the nursing home facility itself. Individual staff members who commit abuse can be held personally responsible. Corporate owners and operators who fail to implement proper policies bear responsibility. They must provide training and supervision. Medical professionals providing care at the facility may be liable for negligent treatment. Third-party contractors, such as food service or maintenance companies, can be liable. Their negligence may contribute to abuse or neglect.
Under Maryland Code § 5-101, wrongful death claims allow family members to recover damages when a resident dies due to facility negligence.
Types of Damages Available
Maryland law allows recovery of economic damages. These include past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional conduct, punitive damages may be available. These damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Wrongful death cases allow family members to recover for loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and lost financial support.
How CHASENBOSCOLO Handles Your Nursing Home Abuse Case
Our process is designed to thoroughly investigate your claim. We gather compelling evidence and pursue maximum compensation.
Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation
We begin with a free, confidential consultation. You describe what happened, and we listen carefully. We review medical records, facility documents, and any photographs or evidence you’ve gathered. We explain your legal rights and the strength of your claim. Then, we discuss the likely timeline and costs. There’s no obligation to proceed. We want you to feel confident in your decision to work with us.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Once retained, we conduct a thorough investigation. We obtain complete medical records documenting the resident’s condition and treatment. We inspect the facility, photographing conditions and documenting staffing levels. Then, we consult with medical experts who review records and provide opinions. They assess whether the facility’s care fell below accepted standards. We interview staff members, residents, and family members who may have witnessed abuse or neglect.
Negotiation and Settlement
We communicate with the facility’s insurance company. We present evidence of negligence and injury. Then, we calculate damages based on medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other factors. And, we negotiate for a fair settlement. Many cases resolve through settlement. This allows families to recover compensation without the stress of trial.
Trial Representation
If settlement negotiations don’t yield fair compensation, we prepare for trial. We coordinate expert testimony and prepare witnesses. We develop compelling presentations for the jury. Our attorneys have tried hundreds of cases. We understand how to effectively communicate complex medical and legal issues to jurors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Abuse Cases
How much does it cost to hire a nursing home abuse lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. We collect our fee only if we recover compensation for you. This arrangement ensures you can afford quality legal representation regardless of your financial situation.
What is the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse in Maryland?
You generally have three years from the date you discovered the injury. You must file a lawsuit within this timeframe. However, this deadline is absolute. Missing it eliminates your right to recover. Contact us immediately if you suspect abuse.
What evidence do I need to prove nursing home abuse?
Medical records are essential, showing the resident’s condition and treatment. Photographs of injuries, particularly bedsores, provide powerful visual evidence. Witness statements from other residents, family members, or staff members support your claim. Facility inspection reports and incident documentation help establish negligence. Expert medical testimony explains how the facility’s care fell below accepted standards.
Can I sue a nursing home for neglect?
Yes. Nursing homes have a legal duty to provide adequate care. Failure to meet this duty constitutes negligence. Neglect—whether involving nutrition, hygiene, medication, or wound care—creates liability.
What if my loved one has passed away?
You may have a wrongful death claim. Maryland law allows family members to recover damages. These include loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and lost financial support. These cases are particularly important because they hold facilities accountable. They may prevent future deaths.
How long does a nursing home abuse case take?
Timeline varies depending on case complexity. It also depends on whether settlement is reached. Simple cases may resolve within months. Complex cases involving multiple parties or disputed liability may take one to three years. We keep you informed throughout the process. We work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible.
Contact CHASENBOSCOLO for Your Free Consultation
If you suspect your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse or neglect, don’t wait. Contact CHASENBOSCOLO today for a free consultation. Our Waldorf office is conveniently located to serve families throughout Southern Maryland.
Call (301) 220-0050 or contact us online. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and discuss your case. Let us help you pursue justice and hold negligent facilities accountable.