We all want the best care for our loved ones. Sometimes, that means turning to professionals for help, rather than struggling to provide for special medical needs in the family’s home. Unfortunately, a nursing home that can seem like a safe space may, over time, become a source of abuse and neglect.
If you know or suspect your loved one is suffering from abuse, our nursing home abuse lawyers in Silver Spring will help you uncover the truth and seek justice for the harm they have experienced.
Call Jenner Law today to schedule your free case evaluation and discover how our Silver Spring personal injury lawyers‘ 70 years of combined experience in personal injury law can make a difference in your case.
Seeking Financial Compensation for Damages Resulting From Nursing Home Abuse
Many Maryland facilities are understaffed or do not have the oversight to protect nursing home residents. Without an appropriate checks-and-balances system in place, our vulnerable loved ones can be at risk of abuse and neglect.
If your loved one suffered losses, a Silver Spring nursing home abuse lawyer from our law firm may be able to help you recover financial compensation for their economic and non-economic damages, such as the following:
- Medical expenses for medical care due to physical abuse
- Financial loss due to theft
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish associated with physical, emotional, or verbal abuse
The losses your loved one suffered will be unique to their case. Our Silver Spring elder abuse lawyers can help you explore the types of compensation you may pursue in a settlement or judgment.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer call,
(888) 585-2188
How an Attorney Can Help With a Nursing Home Negligence or Abuse Case
Discovering that your elderly parent or loved one is a victim of abuse is a shock and may leave you distraught and confused about what to do. Working with a nursing home abuse lawyer in Silver Spring can be beneficial in working toward a successful end to your legal journey.
Our personal injury attorneys will investigate your case, searching for evidence that identifies the abuser and the liable party. Once we gather evidence of nursing home abuse, we will negotiate for a fair settlement based on all the losses your loved one has suffered.
If we cannot reach an agreement with the care facility’s insurance company, we will represent you in court, fighting for a full and fair compensation verdict.
Affording Legal Representation for a Nursing Home Abuse Case
Jenner Law offers free initial consultations. There are no strings attached to this offer. You are encouraged to come in, share your story, and walk away with sound legal advice about your next steps.
Should we decide to work together on your case, you’ll pay no fees unless we secure a compensation settlement or judgment for you. This contingency fee arrangement allows you to take advantage of the services of a trained legal professional without any upfront cost.
Click to contact our Silver Spring Personal Injury Lawyers today
The Time Limit for Filing a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Silver Spring, Maryland
Most nursing home abuse cases are personal injury cases. Maryland generally allows you three years from the date you discover the abuse to file a personal injury lawsuit, per Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101.
If you do not begin legal action by then, the court may prevent you from seeking compensation via a personal injury lawsuit. If negotiations with the liable party’s insurance company fail, you would have no further options to pursue justice.
Your Silver Spring nursing home abuse attorney will review the statute of limitations with you and explain how it applies to your case. As your case progresses, we will ensure you meet all legal deadlines to avoid an administrative misstep that could prevent your loved one from recovering the compensation they deserve.
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Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes in Silver Spring
Legally, there is a difference between abuse and neglect. Abuse occurs when someone intentionally harms your loved one. Examples of abuse in a care facility can include:
- Verbally or physically threatening behavior
- Physical attacks, such as hitting, pinching, or rough handling
- Sexual assault
Neglect happens when someone unintentionally harms another by not acting when they should. Examples are:
- Not tending to your loved one’s hygiene promptly
- Failing to turn a bedridden resident as often as needed
- Skipping medications or not providing medical care as needed
Other actions may be both abuse and neglect. Our Silver Spring nursing home abuse attorneys will help you legally define what has happened to your loved one and take appropriate steps based on that definition.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse does not always leave obvious signs. Sometimes, the changes are subtle. A loved one may become withdrawn, fearful, or suddenly behave differently.
Other times, there may be physical evidence that something is wrong. Watch for changes that seem unusual or unexplained. Here are some common signs of abuse in the elderly:
- Unexplained injuries: Bruises, cuts, burns, broken bones, or other injuries may be signs of physical abuse or neglect.
- Sudden changes in behavior: A loved one who becomes anxious, withdrawn, fearful, or unusually quiet may be experiencing something they are not comfortable discussing.
- Poor hygiene: Dirty clothing, unwashed hair, strong odors, or untreated personal hygiene needs can point to neglect.
- Bedsores: Pressure sores may develop when a resident is not moved or repositioned often enough. Severe or untreated bedsores can be particularly concerning.
- Unexplained weight loss: Losing a noticeable amount of weight without a medical explanation could indicate that a resident is not receiving enough food, water, or proper care.
- Medication problems: Missed medications, incorrect dosages, or unexplained changes in medication may signal a problem with a resident’s care.
- Fear of certain nursing home staff members: Pay attention if your loved one seems frightened around a particular caregiver or suddenly does not want to be left alone with someone.
- Changes in financial situation: Missing money, unusual purchases, or unexplained changes to bank accounts or other finances can be warning signs of financial exploitation.
Common Abusers in Silver Spring Nursing Homes
Abuse may arise from the policy or policies of the facility or an individual working in or with access to the facility, such as:
- Nursing home staff, including but not limited to doctors, nurses, aides, janitors, cooks, and administrators
- Other nursing facility residents
- Anyone other than a staff member who enters the facility, such as a plumber, repair person, or delivery person
Get Help From a Silver Spring Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
When the unthinkable happens, knowing what to do or how to get help is difficult. At Jenner Law, our nursing home abuse lawyers in Silver Spring have a depth of knowledge that will serve you well as we fight for your loved one’s rights.
Call Jenner Law today or fill out our contact form to schedule your free case evaluation. You can also visit our FAQ page to learn more about filing a legal claim with our legal practice.
We dig deeper and fight harder to get our clients fairly compensated.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form