Baltimore Nursing Home Injury & Abuse Lawyer
When a loved one becomes elderly or disabled and needs specialized care, we want them to have the best care available, and we put our trust in facilities designed to meet their needs for medical care and daily living in an environment that maximizes their opportunities for social interaction, intellectual stimulation and quality of life. There are hundreds of nursing homes in and around Baltimore ranging in quality from much above average to much below average, according to ratings provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Unfortunately, incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect are on the rise as a greater proportion of the population ages, and nursing homes fight to maintain adequate nursing staff ratios to guarantee quality care. Lack of training and supervision and a high turnover rate lead to cases of abuse and neglect which can cause serious injury or worse to vulnerable nursing home residents.
Baltimore nursing home injury lawyers at Iamele & Iamele, LLP hold nursing homes accountable when negligence or abusive practices cause harm to those under their care.
Nursing Home Injuries and Accidents
When you place a loved one in a nursing home, you trust that facility to provide compassionate, professional care. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect occur far too frequently throughout Maryland facilities. If your family member has suffered harm due to inadequate care, you need an experienced Baltimore nursing home abuse & neglect attorney who will fight aggressively for justice.
At Iamele & Iamele, LLP, our attorneys have dedicated over 50 years to protecting Maryland citizens’ rights, with two generations of the Iamele family providing passionate advocacy for injury victims throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area.
Our small firm emphasizes personalized client service, ensuring that both Domenic Iamele and Anton Iamele become personally involved in most aspects of each case. We understand that nursing home abuse cases require meticulous preparation and superior courtroom skills to achieve outstanding results for families seeking justice for their vulnerable loved ones.
- Nursing Home Assault & Battery
- Nursing Home Falling Incidents
- Nursing Home Sepsis & Infections
- Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
Understanding Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Maryland
Nursing home abuse and neglect represent serious violations of trust that can cause devastating physical, emotional, and psychological harm to elderly residents. According to recent available data from the National Center on Elder Abuse, approximately one in ten Americans aged 60 and older have experienced some form of elder abuse, with institutional settings like nursing homes presenting particular risks.
Abuse in nursing home settings can take multiple forms, including physical abuse through hitting, pushing, or inappropriate restraint use. Sexual abuse, though less common, represents one of the most serious violations that can occur in care facilities. Emotional and psychological abuse through verbal threats, humiliation, or isolation can be equally damaging to residents’ wellbeing.
Neglect, meanwhile, involves the failure to provide adequate care that residents require for their health and safety. This can include medication errors, inadequate nutrition or hydration, failure to assist with personal hygiene, or ignoring residents’ medical needs. Financial exploitation, where staff members or facilities improperly use residents’ money or property, also constitutes a serious form of abuse.
Maryland nursing homes must meet specific state and federal standards for resident care. When facilities fail to meet these standards, they can be held legally accountable for the harm that results to residents under their care.
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Recognizing the warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can be challenging, particularly when residents suffer from dementia or other conditions that affect their ability to communicate clearly. However, certain physical and behavioral indicators should prompt immediate investigation.
Physical signs often provide the clearest evidence of potential abuse or neglect. Unexplained injuries such as bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures may indicate physical abuse, especially when staff cannot provide reasonable explanations for how these injuries occurred. Bedsores or pressure ulcers, particularly when they appear suddenly or worsen rapidly, often indicate neglect in repositioning immobile residents.
Changes in personal hygiene, including dirty clothing, poor dental care, or strong odors, may suggest neglect of basic care needs. Significant weight loss or signs of dehydration can indicate inadequate nutrition or medical care. Residents may also show signs of overmedication or undermedication when facilities fail to properly manage prescription drugs.
Behavioral changes can be equally telling. Residents who become withdrawn, fearful, or agitated around certain staff members may be experiencing abuse. Sleep disturbances, depression, or regression in cognitive abilities can also indicate trauma from mistreatment.
Family members should also pay attention to facility conditions during visits. Understaffing, unsanitary conditions, or staff who seem overwhelmed or poorly trained can create environments where abuse and neglect are more likely to occur.
Legal Rights and Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse Victims
Maryland law provides multiple avenues for holding negligent nursing homes accountable for resident abuse and neglect. Families can pursue civil lawsuits against facilities, individual staff members, and corporate owners who fail to maintain adequate standards of care.
Nursing home liability often stems from negligent hiring practices, inadequate staff training, insufficient supervision, or failure to implement proper safety protocols. When facilities prioritize profits over resident care by understaffing units or cutting corners on essential services, they can be held responsible for the predictable consequences of these decisions.
Compensation in nursing home abuse cases may include coverage for additional medical expenses required to treat injuries or conditions that developed due to neglect. Families can also recover costs for alternative care arrangements when residents must be moved to different facilities. Pain and suffering damages acknowledge the physical and emotional trauma that abuse victims endure.
In cases involving wrongful death due to severe abuse or neglect, surviving family members may pursue compensation for their loved one’s final pain and suffering, medical expenses, and the loss of companionship and guidance that results from premature death.
The attorneys at Iamele & Iamele understand that nursing home abuse cases often involve complex medical evidence and testimony from healthcare experts. Our firm’s comprehensive personal injury practice encompasses the depth and breadth of experience necessary to evaluate and litigate these challenging claims for the full amount of compensation families deserve.
Baltimore Nursing Home Injury, Abuse & Neglect FAQs
How do I know if my loved one is being abused or neglected in their nursing home?
Warning signs include unexplained injuries, sudden behavioral changes, poor hygiene, significant weight loss, bedsores, and fear around certain staff members. Trust your instincts if something seems wrong during visits, and document any concerning observations with photographs and detailed notes.
What should I do immediately if I suspect nursing home abuse?
First, ensure your loved one receives necessary medical attention for any injuries. Report the suspected abuse to the facility administrator, Maryland Department of Health, and local law enforcement if criminal activity is suspected. Contact an experienced attorney to protect your family’s legal rights and begin investigating the situation.
Can I move my loved one to a different facility while pursuing a legal case?
Yes, you can and should prioritize your loved one’s safety by arranging alternative care if abuse or neglect is occurring. Moving to a safer environment will not harm your legal case and may actually strengthen it by demonstrating the severity of the situation.
How long do I have to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit in Maryland?
Maryland’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally three years from the date the abuse was discovered or should have been discovered. However, these deadlines can be complex in nursing home cases, making it important to consult with an attorney promptly.
What evidence is needed to prove nursing home abuse or neglect?
Evidence may include medical records documenting injuries or declining health, photographs of injuries or poor facility conditions, witness statements from staff or visitors, facility inspection reports, and expert medical testimony explaining how the resident’s condition relates to inadequate care.
Will pursuing a lawsuit help other nursing home residents?
Yes, successful legal action often leads to improved policies and practices at facilities, better staff training, and increased oversight. Holding negligent facilities accountable helps protect other vulnerable residents from similar harm in the future.
How much does it cost to hire a nursing home abuse attorney?
Most nursing home abuse attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs and attorney fees are only collected if your case results in a successful settlement or verdict. Initial consultations are typically provided at no charge to evaluate your potential case.
Serving Throughout Baltimore
- Federal Hill
- Fells Point
- Canton
- Inner Harbor
- Mount Vernon
- Charles Village
- Hampden
- Roland Park
- Locust Point
- Patterson Park
Contact a Baltimore Nursing Home Injury Attorney Today
Nursing home abuse and neglect cases require immediate attention to protect vulnerable residents and preserve crucial evidence. The experienced legal team at Iamele & Iamele, LLP provides the aggressive representation and personal attention that families need during these difficult situations. Our attorneys have the trial experience and courtroom skills necessary to hold negligent facilities accountable and secure the compensation your family deserves. We serve clients throughout Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s counties, with evening and weekend meetings available. Your initial consultation is free and confidential, allowing us to evaluate your case and explain your legal options without any financial obligation.
Contact our Baltimore nursing home injury & accident attorney today to learn how our firm can help protect your loved one’s rights and pursue justice for the harm they have suffered.
