A nursing home lawyer College Park MD families trust understands the feelings of despair loved ones may face when they realize abuse or neglect has been occurring in a facility. Nursing homes are meant to be a place of support, care, and safety. However, some do not hold true to these obligations.
Nursing home abuse might be ongoing or infrequent, but in any case, abuse is abuse. You and your family member do not have to cope with such a detrimental situation alone. A College Park MD nursing home lawyer at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. is determined to helping victims get the compensation they deserve and will do what they can to help fight on their clients’ behalf.
Nursing Home Abuse in Maryland
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, by 2050 there will be almost 90 million Americans over the age of 65; this is double the current amount and is a result of the baby boomer generation. As this number is expected to significantly rise each year, so too will the number of nursing homes and probable legal claims.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
It’s estimated that around 1 in 3 elderly people will make an abuse or neglect accusation against a nursing home. Abuse is not only limited to physical harm; rather, it can be categorized into six separate categories which include the following:
Psychological or Emotional Abuse
A nursing home lawyer College Park MD residents turn to for advice may try to determine if psychological or emotional abuse has occurred. In general, this happens when verbal or nonverbal actions cause pain, distress, humiliation, intimidation, or anguish. Some signs that a nursing home lawyer in College Park MD may look for include:
- Agitation or frequent crying
- Odd behaviors (i.e. rocking or biting)
- Being withdrawn
- Lack of communication
- Talking about the mistreatment
Physical Abuse
Perhaps the most common type of abuse is physical abuse that results in injury or pain. The type of physical abuse could include a direct act of violence, inappropriate use of medications or constraints, force feeding, or punishment. A top nursing home lawyer College Park MD has to offer may ask if you’ve noticed any specific signs which could include:
- Being refused visitation
- Reports of being hit, kicked, or mistreated
- Overdosing on medication
- Broken bones, sprains, and bruises
- Lacerations, rope, or tie marks
- Untreated injuries
Sexual Abuse
Considered to be the least common type of abuse in nursing homes, sexual abuse involves non-consensual contact of any kind. Sexual abuse claims are most frequent in elderly patients who are disabled, or have dementia or Alzheimer’s. A College Park MD nursing home lawyer you can trust may want to know whether or not the following signs have been noticed:
- Bruises or infections in the genital or breast area
- Sudden signs of venereal disease
- Stained, torn, or bloody undergarments
Gross Neglect
When a nursing home lawyer College Park MD respects discovers a facility has failed to fulfill their obligations, they may be held accountable for gross neglect. Some signs might include:
- Bed sores
- Poor personal hygiene
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Leaving patients un-bathed and dirty
- Ignoring health problems
- Unsafe living environment
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse in a nursing home happens when the facility, employee, or another resident illegally uses a patient’s funds or assets. For instance, cashing checks, forging signatures, or coercing the individual to sign away a power of attorney or guardianship are examples of financial abuse. A nursing home lawyer College Park MD residents count on might be able to review financial records if this type of abuse is suspected.
Contacting A Nursing Home Lawyer in College Park MD Today
Nursing home abuse can be extremely disruptive, and lead to a broad range of emotional, mental, or physical pain. If you believe your family member has been the victim of abuse or neglect, call us now to schedule a free consultation at 301-760-3296. Turn to Cohen and Cohen, P.C. for a nursing home lawyer College Park MD residents can rely on for advice and solutions.