Few things in life are more upsetting than noticing the warning signs of abuse or neglect. Your loved one deserves to live in peace and comfort in their nursing home facility, but the unfortunate reality is that many seniors face the constant fear of injury or harm.
Founded in 2017, Jenner Law helps families understand their legal options and pursue accountability when a nursing home or caregiver fails to provide proper care.
Our nursing home abuse lawyers in Annapolis understand the weight of caring for an older family member. If you believe neglect or abuse has occurred, an Annapolis personal injury lawyer from our firm is ready to help.
Why Choose Jenner Law After Nursing Home Abuse in Annapolis, MD?
Choosing a law firm after suspected nursing home abuse is an important decision. At Jenner Law, we bring experience and a personalized approach to every case while working to help families understand their legal options. Here’s why you can trust us:
- Millions recovered: Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients in successful cases.
- 70 years of combined experience: Our legal team brings decades of combined experience to injury and elder abuse claims.
- Trauma and cognitive interview trained: Our lawyers and paralegals have training from the Center for Hope in trauma-informed and cognitive interviewing techniques to help us communicate with clients and witnesses with care.
A Voice for Elders
At Jenner Law, we believe older adults deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. When a loved one has been harmed in a nursing home, we work to make sure their concerns are heard, and their rights are protected. Take legal action with us now.
- Get the personalized attention you deserve throughout your case.
- We dig deeper and fight harder to get our clients fairly compensated, taking the time to understand what happened and build a strong case against negligent nursing homes.
- We have the resources and experience to fight the biggest corporate wrongdoers, including large nursing homes and care facilities.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer call,
(888) 585-2188
You Have a Limited Time to File a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Annapolis
If you suspect nursing home abuse, it is important to understand that you have a limited time to act. A statute of limitations governs these cases and serves as a deadline that covers personal injury lawsuits. The statute of limitations dictates how long you have to pursue legal action.
Per Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 5-101, nursing home abuse victims generally have a three–year window to file their lawsuit. Unlike some other types of injury cases, the exact date this deadline expires might be unclear. This is because the statute of limitations may be extended if the abuse goes undiscovered for a time.
Your Annapolis Nursing Home Lawyer Can Ensure You Comply With the Statute of Limitations
Having the support of a nursing home abuse lawyer in Annapolis may be critical. Your personal injury attorney can identify the exact deadline for your lawsuit and ensure you file with time to spare.
Failing to comply with this strict legal deadline in Maryland can lead to devastating results. In most situations, the judge will have no choice but to dismiss the suit with prejudice. This would mean not only that your loved one’s case is over but also that they would be unable to file again in the future.
Recovering Compensation After Annapolis Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can cause physical injuries, emotional harm, and financial losses. Depending on the circumstances of the case, you may be able to seek compensation for damages related to the abuse or neglect, including:
- Medical expenses: Costs for emergency treatment, hospitalization, medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and the emotional impact of the physical and emotional abuse.
- Emotional distress: Damages related to fear, anxiety, humiliation, or other emotional harm caused by abuse from staff members.
- Additional care costs: Expenses for relocating to another facility, in-home care, or other services needed because of the abuse or neglect.
- Lost income: Income lost by the victim or, in certain circumstances, family members who must take time away from work to provide care.
- Wrongful death damages: When nursing home abuse or neglect results in death, eligible surviving family members may be able to pursue damages available under Maryland law.
Click to contact our Annapolis Personal Injury Lawyers today
Our Annapolis Nursing Home Abuse Law Firm Does Not Require Upfront Legal Fees
It is natural to worry about the cost of hiring an attorney to handle a nursing home abuse case. Many senior citizens live on a fixed income and are unable to pay legal fees. The good news is that our personal injury law firm can help nursing home abuse victims without any upfront legal fees.
We work on a contingency basis. That means we will get to work immediately once you hire us without asking for any fees. Instead, we earn our payment by retaining a percentage of any financial compensation we recover on your behalf.
This approach is designed to benefit all parties involved. It allows you to pursue your claim without the risk of walking away with less than you had when you started, and it motivates our team to pursue the maximum payout for you or your loved one. In other words, if you don’t get paid, neither do we.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
What Is the Standard of Care in Nursing Homes?
Nursing homes have a duty to provide residents with proper care. That includes meeting their basic needs and taking reasonable steps to keep them safe. Staff should follow each resident’s care plan. They should give medications as prescribed and watch for changes in the resident’s condition. They also need to respond when something goes wrong.
Safety matters, too. Staff should take reasonable precautions to prevent falls, pressure ulcers, infections, dehydration, and other avoidable injuries.
When a nursing home fails to provide appropriate care and a resident gets hurt, the facility or responsible staff members may be held accountable. Medical records, care plans, photographs, incident reports, and witness statements may help show what happened and whether the resident received the care they needed.
Understanding the Types of Nursing Home Abuse
There are many different forms of nursing home abuse, and it is vital to understand each of them. Not every act of abuse involves physical harm or neglect. According to the National Institute on Aging, some of the most common types of elder abuse include the following:
Physical Abuse
Unfortunately, the risk of physical abuse is high in nursing home facilities. This can include a wide range of harm, including biting, kicking, punching, or burning a victim. Physical abuse can also include the unnecessary use of restraints.
Sexual Abuse
Any non-consensual sexual contact is sexual abuse. This can include anything from sexual assault to unwanted exposure. Some nursing home residents cannot consent to this conduct and cannot report the abuse to the authorities.
Neglect
Neglect is the failure to provide a resident with the basic care they require, including food, medicine, and hygiene. This treatment might be intentional, or it could stem from issues like understaffing.
Emotional Abuse
Some of the most devastating forms of abuse do not result in physical harm. This is because emotional trauma can be particularly devastating for the elderly. Some common examples include humiliating, threatening, or giving the silent treatment to a nursing home resident.
Financial Abuse
Many nursing home residents are victims of financial fraud. Unfortunately, this situation is ripe for fraudulent behavior, given that residents have access to and control over their finances even in cases where they lack the capacity to prevent fraud.
This type of abuse could be as simple as stealing possessions or as severe as altering the terms of a will.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
When you have a loved one living in a nursing home, it is vital to understand the signs of abuse or neglect. They can be subtle and easy to miss in some cases, and many residents often deny being subjected to this treatment out of embarrassment or fear of retaliation.
Physical Signs
A resident’s physical condition can say a lot about their treatment. Any unexplained injuries, including cuts, bruises, broken bones, or burns, may be signs of physical abuse. Sudden weight loss, bed sores, or poor hygiene could also point to neglect.
Psychological Signs
Personality changes may also be a sign that something is wrong. Check for signs of anxiety, withdrawal, or depression. These changes are especially important to note if they occur suddenly. Other common symptoms can include signs of mental deterioration, like mumbling, confusion, or thumb-sucking.
When you notice these issues, do not be afraid to talk to your family member. If they are reluctant to discuss the matter, that might be another sign that something is wrong.
Take immediate action by reaching out to Jenner Law to discuss your options. Our team can gather evidence of neglect or abuse and build a case for compensation.
What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, taking action quickly can help protect them and preserve important evidence. Consider these steps:
- Make sure your loved one is safe: If there is an immediate danger or serious medical emergency, contact emergency services and get your loved one to a safe location when possible.
- Document what you notice: Write down dates, injuries, changes in behavior, living conditions, and anything your loved one tells you. Take photographs of visible injuries or unsafe conditions when appropriate.
- Seek medical attention: Have your loved one evaluated by a medical professional. Medical records may document injuries, infections, malnutrition, dehydration, or other signs of possible neglect or abuse.
- Report your concerns: Notify the nursing home’s management and report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate Maryland authorities. Keep records of when you made the report and who received it.
- Preserve relevant evidence: Keep photographs, medical records, facility communications, bills, witness information, and other documentation that may help establish what happened.
- Call our Annapolis nursing home abuse lawyers at Jenner Law: If you believe your loved one was harmed because of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact Jenner Law to discuss your concerns and potential legal options. Our team can review the circumstances and help your family determine what steps may be appropriate.
Who Is Held Liable for Abuse in Nursing Homes?
When abuse or neglect occurs in Maryland nursing homes, determining who may be legally responsible depends on the circumstances. Liability may extend beyond the individual who directly harmed a resident.
Nursing homes can be responsible for more than the actions of individual employees. They may also face liability for negligent hiring, poor supervision, inadequate training, or failing to protect residents from known dangers.
Maryland regulations also require nursing facilities to investigate abuse allegations and take steps to prevent additional incidents.
Nursing Home Staff Members
A caregiver, nurse, aide, or other employee may be personally responsible for abuse or neglect they commit. Suspected abuse must be reported and investigated. This includes identifying the person accused of causing the harm.
The Nursing Home or Facility
The facility itself may be responsible when poor staffing, training, supervision, or hiring contributes to abuse or neglect. Nursing homes must also have policies against abuse and neglect and investigate reported concerns.
Supervisors and Administrators
Supervisors or administrators may also be responsible in some situations. This can happen when they knew, or should have known, about abuse or unsafe conditions but failed to act.
Other Responsible Parties
Other people or organizations may also share responsibility. This could include a third party providing care or other services.
Figuring out who is liable depends on the facts. Medical records, facility records, reports, and other evidence can help establish what happened.
If you suspect abuse or neglect in a Maryland elder care facility, Jenner Law can review your situation and explain your legal options.
Common Nursing Home Abuse Injuries
Nursing home abuse or neglect can cause serious injuries, especially for older adults who may already have health conditions or mobility limitations. Some common injuries associated with nursing home abuse and neglect include:
- Bruises and contusions: Unexplained bruising may occur after physical abuse, falls, or improper handling.
- Fractures: Falls, rough handling, or physical abuse can result in broken hips, arms, wrists, or other bones.
- Pressure ulcers: Also called bedsores, these injuries can develop when residents are not repositioned or cared for properly.
- Head injuries: Falls or physical assaults can cause concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or other serious head trauma.
- Malnutrition and dehydration: Failure to provide adequate food or fluids can lead to weakness, illness, and other complications.
- Infections: Untreated wounds, poor hygiene, or inadequate medical care can increase the risk of serious infections.
- Medication-related injuries: Medication errors, missed doses, or administering the wrong medication can cause adverse reactions and other harm.
Our Compassionate Approach to Sensitive Cases
Nursing home abuse and neglect cases can be deeply personal. Families may be dealing with fear, anger, guilt, or uncertainty about what happened to their loved one. At Jenner Law, we understand that these cases require patience, care, and an understanding of what your family is going through.
We take the time to listen to your concerns and learn about your loved one’s circumstances. You should feel comfortable asking questions and sharing difficult details. Our team approaches these conversations with respect and sensitivity.
If you believe a nursing home resident has been abused or neglected, you do not have to navigate the situation alone. At Jenner Law, our Annapolis nursing home abuse attorneys are here to listen, investigate your concerns, and help you understand the steps available to your family.
Get a Free Consultation With an Annapolis Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today
No one should ever have to live in fear of abuse in a care facility during their golden years. At Jenner Law, we proudly advocate on behalf of these innocent victims, and we are prepared to aggressively pursue a favorable outcome against abusers and those who empower them.
Contact us as soon as possible for a free consultation and learn more about working with an Annapolis nursing home abuse lawyer. You can also visit our FAQ page to learn more.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form