There are few things harder than leaving a loved one at a nursing home. Though we expect nursing homes to treat our loved ones with the respect they deserve, this does not always happen. If you believe that your loved one is a victim of nursing home negligence or abuse, you should strongly consider reaching out to an experienced Prince George’s County nursing home neglect lawyer right here at McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. today. Contact us so you can tell us your story, and so we can begin fighting for your loved one’s rights.
Prince George’s County Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer | Serving MD, VA, & D.C.
No one should ever be subjected to unfair treatment in their final years. Unfortunately, our firm knows all too well how some are treated in nursing homes. We are on your side. You can depend on an experienced Prince George’s County personal injury lawyer to fight for your loved one’s dignity and safety.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Imagining that your loved one is a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse is just about the worst thing anyone can think of. However, to keep your loved one safe, there are several potential signs and signals of abuse that you should look out for. Some of the most common signs of nursing home abuse/neglect that our firm has encountered are as follows:
- Bedsores
- Signs of fear when certain aides enter the room
- Complaints of distress or unsafe conditions
- Possessions or cash going missing
- Unexplained bruises or other injuries
- Sudden personality changes
- Arguments between staff and patients
- Unclean food/water
- Other unsafe living conditions
Reporting a Bad Nursing Home
If your loved one is injured because of nursing home negligence/abuse, you should take several steps to help ensure their safety and that the liable parties are brought to justice. Once you suspect that your loved one is being harmed in his or her nursing home, you should do the following:
- Take pictures or videos of unsafe nursing home conditions.
- Report the incident(s) of abuse to nursing home ownership/staff.
- If you believe your loved one is in imminent danger, you should call the police, who can help ensure your loved one receives medical care and is transported to a safe place.
- Ask any witnesses for their contact information.
- Reach out to Maryland’s Office of Health Care Quality at 1-877-402-8219. The OHCQ is a division of the Maryland Department of Health, and if you report unsafe nursing home conditions to them, they should launch an investigation immediately.
- Contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P.. Our legal team can work to obtain all additional evidence needed to hold the right parties accountable for their actions. We are on your side, and we are prepared to fight for your family.
The Statute of Limitations for Nursing Home Claims in Maryland
Like other injury claims in Maryland, nursing home neglect and abuse cases are subject to a filing deadline known as the statute of limitations. Under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 5-101, you generally have three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit on your loved one’s behalf. If neglect or abuse contributed to a resident’s death, surviving family members may bring a separate wrongful death claim, which under Section 3-904 must generally be filed within three years of the date of death. Because these deadlines are strict and missing one can permanently bar a claim, it is wise to speak with an attorney as soon as you suspect that something is wrong.
Contact a Prince George’s County Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer
No one should ever have to witness a nursing home mistreating their loved one. Our firm is here to hold any poorly run nursing home accountable for its actions. Contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. today to schedule your initial consultation with our competent and compassionate legal team.
