Towson Nursing Home Neglect Attorney

Lawyer for Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse in Towson, MD

When a family suspects that a loved one has suffered harm due to abuse or neglect in a nursing home, they will want to take steps to address these issues. In addition to ensuring that their loved one will receive the proper care, a family may take steps to hold a nursing home responsible for negligence that occurred. Understanding the types of evidence that may play a role in these cases may be a complex matter, and legal representation will typically be needed to ensure that a family can build a strong case for compensation.

When a loved one has been injured due to nursing home neglect or abuse, Serafini Law can provide the legal help you are looking for. Our skilled attorney can advocate for your loved one's rights and well-being. We will work to ensure that a negligent nursing home will be held responsible for the losses your family has experienced.

Evidence of Nursing Home Negligence

Our team can help gather and preserve evidence of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, which may include:

Medical Records

Details about a patient's health and medical treatment can serve as crucial evidence in a nursing home abuse or neglect case. Medical records can provide invaluable insights into the medical history of the resident, and they can reveal disturbing patterns of neglect or abuse. Relevant information may include:

• Documentation of injuries - Records may include reports of unexplained injuries or deteriorating health conditions.
• Treatment logs - Notes from doctors and nursing staff can indicate whether necessary care was provided.
• Medication records - Evidence showing whether medications were administered correctly and in a timely manner can help highlight any neglect that may have taken place.

Witness Testimonies

Witnesses can provide essential information related to a case by providing firsthand accounts of the resident's conditions or any observed abuse. Potential witnesses may include:

• Family members - Relatives may share observations regarding the resident's physical or emotional state.
• Staff members - Whistleblowers among a nursing home's staff can provide insights into unsafe practices or inadequate staffing.
• Other residents - Testimonies from fellow residents might reveal abusive behavior or substandard living conditions at the facility.

Photographic and Video Evidence

Visual evidence can be incredibly impactful in nursing home abuse and neglect cases. Concrete proof of negligence can be provided through:

• Photographs of injuries - Pictures taken after injuries have occurred can serve as compelling evidence of abuse. Photos can also document a patient's medical conditions, such as bedsores that have not been treated correctly.
• Videos - Surveillance footage from the facility may capture incidents of neglect or abuse.
• Living conditions - Images depicting unsanitary conditions or safety hazards can demonstrate that a resident's health and safety were at risk.

Incident Reports

Nursing homes are required to document incidents involving residents. These reports can shed light on what occurred and how the facility responded. Documentation may include:

• Internal reports - Staff documentation related to incidents can illustrate systemic issues in care.
• Regulatory compliance reports - Reports from monitoring entities, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, can expose patterns of abuse or neglect within a facility.
• Police reports - In situations where abuse has been reported to police, the reports filed can provide essential evidence of the circumstances that put a person at risk of harm.

Administrative Records

Records maintained by a nursing home can reveal issues related to compliance with regulations and standards of care. They may include:

• Licenses and certifications - Applications for licenses and other related documents can indicate whether a facility has adhered to industry standards.
• Staffing records - Records demonstrating the number of staff members available, their qualifications, and their level of training can highlight neglect related to the required levels of care.
• Policies and procedures - A review of the nursing home's policies can show whether the staff followed the correct protocols.

Correspondence and Documentation

Communication between family members and the nursing home can provide additional context to support a case. Relevant evidence may include:

• Emails and letters - This correspondence can document complaints made by family members regarding a resident's care.
• Care plans - Individualized care plans that had not been followed correctly can serve as evidence of neglect.
• Billing statements - Analyzing billing for discrepancies in recorded services can indicate whether fraud or negligence occurred.

Contact Our Towson, Maryland Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer

In a case involving nursing home negligence, proper evidence can support claims of neglect and abuse, and it can also help protect other residents from being injured. For legal help addressing nursing home injuries, contact Serafini Law today. Give us a call at 240-744-1600 for a complimentary consultation.