Deciding to put a loved one in a nursing home is difficult, even if the facility seems perfect. Knowing that you want the best for your loved one, our Bel Air, MD nursing home abuse lawyer hopes to give you the legal advice and clarity on your particular situation.
Our attorneys at Ketterer, Browne & Associates, LLC have represented clients in nursing homes cases ranging from falls, to wrongful death, to bedsores and pressure wounds. Since nursing homes are for-profit businesses, some may put profit above care. Unfortunately, some caregivers have too much work and get paid too little. That can result in frustration and stress that they may take out on residents. They may fail to act as necessary, such as turning and repositioning residents to avoid pressure wounds.
Why You Should Trust A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
It can be overwhelming navigating a suspected nursing home neglect or abuse case on your own. By working with our Bel Air nursing home abuse lawyer, you will feel more at ease. You can trust someone with experience in the field has your back. We strive to recover fair, appropriate compensation for your loved one’s mistreatment. Residents have the right to receive adequate care from the nursing home and its staff—that is what they are paying for.
What Are The Types Of Nursing Home Abuse?
Oftentimes, our loved ones need to be put in a nursing home because their mental and physical capacity is diminishing. This is sad to observe on its own, but it also makes them more susceptible to types of abuse that may not be as obvious as physical abuse. Below, we outline several kinds of abuse that may occur within a nursing home:
- Financial Abuse. This is any time someone takes advantage of resources that an older adult has without their consent. Concrete examples of this are forging a resident’s signature, depositing a resident’s checks without authorization, and failing to give residents their money when they need it. Most commonly, it can appear as threatening a resident for an unpaid bill.
- Elder Abuse & Neglect. When nursing facilities are understaffed, this can contribute to caregivers not having the resources or time to keep up with the residents’ day-to-day nutrition and hygiene. This can also show up as leaving residents unattended for extended periods of time, making mistakes regarding medication, and overlooking call lights.
- Emotional & Psychological Abuse. Elderly patients are already a vulnerable group. Sometimes caretakers use this against residents by calling them insulting names, humiliating them in front of others, yelling at the resident, or terrorizing them in other ways. Forms of psychological abuse may include purposefully isolating a resident from social interactions or failing to acknowledge the resident by giving them the silent treatment.
Sitting with the types of harm that may be inflicted on your loved one is painful—no one should have to go through any of this. With years of experience, our Bel Air nursing home abuse lawyer wants to help tend to the difficulties your family member may be facing and turn the pain and confusion into forceful legal action.
Please call our team at Ketterer, Browne & Associates, LLC to set up a free case evaluation today.
Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer In Bel Air, MD
When we entrust a loved one to a nursing home, we expect safety and well-being to be a priority. Unfortunately, some Bel Air nursing homes break trust leading to devastating consequences for vulnerable individuals. At Ketterer, Browne & Associates, LLC, we are deeply committed to advocating for victims of nursing home abuse and their families. Our team in Bel Air, MD, works tirelessly to seek justice and accountability when neglect or abuse has caused harm.
The Serious Impact Of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can take many forms. This includes physical harm to emotional mistreatment, financial exploitation, or neglect of basic needs. These actions can result in serious injuries, health complications, or even wrongful death. Many families turn to nursing homes for professional care, only to discover that the nursing home harmed their loved ones due to inadequate staffing, unsafe environments, or negligence.
How We Fight For Justice
At Ketterer, Browne & Associates, LLC, we take a proactive and thorough approach to nursing home abuse cases. Each situation is unique, and we carefully investigate the circumstances to uncover the truth. By collaborating with medical professionals and other experts, we build strong cases that demonstrate the harm caused by neglect or abuse.
Our firm has achieved significant results for families in similar situations, including seven figure trial verdicts, over $725,000 recovered in pressure ulcer and wound cases and a $600,000 settlement for a nursing home neglect case. These figures reflect the determination we bring to every client’s case, as well as the justice that families deserve when trust has been broken. Resource: How Much is My Case Worth? Every case is different and our past results do not guarantee future outcomes, so contact us to speak about your specific situation.
The Importance Of Seeking Legal Help
When families discover signs of nursing home abuse, it’s essential to act quickly. Delaying action can make it harder to gather evidence and protect others from potential harm. By pursuing legal action, families can achieve more than just financial compensation—they can drive change within the elder care industry, helping to protect others from suffering the same mistreatment.
Indeed, we don’t just help residents regarding nursing home abuse, we are also product liability attorneys who pursue claims concerning product failures.
Resource: Permobile Wheelchair Recall – the Max Mobility Permobil SmartDrive Speed Control Dial
Why Our Firm Stands Out
We understand how emotionally challenging these cases can be for families. That’s why we focus on providing compassionate guidance and powerful legal advocacy. We have a proven track record. As a firm, we have over $100 million in verdicts and settlements. We also have the largest trial verdict in the history of Maryland for nursing home abuse cases. Each case is different and our past record is no assurance that we will be successful in reaching a favorable result in any future case, so contact us today to see if and how we might be able to help you.
Our nursing home abuse lawyer team, including Attorney Reza Davani, a Maryland Association for Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2024, treats you like family. We dedicate ourselves to holding negligent nursing homes accountable and securing justice for our clients.
5 Red Flags That Indicate You Should Contact A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
When a loved one is in a nursing home, we trust the facility to provide proper care and respect. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. If you suspect mistreatment, it’s important to act quickly. In many instances, that may mean contacting a Bel Air, MD nursing home abuse lawyer like Ketterer, Browne & Associates, LLC.
Here are five red flags that may mean it’s time to contact a nursing home abuse lawyer in Bel Air, MD.
1. Unexplained Injuries Or Frequent Hospital Visits
If your loved one has bruises, cuts, or broken bones without a clear explanation, this could be a sign of physical abuse or neglect. Frequent trips to the hospital for injuries or worsening health conditions may also indicate that the facility isn’t providing adequate care. A nursing home abuse attorney in Bel Air can help investigate these incidents and determine if negligence or abuse is to blame.
2. Sudden Changes In Behavior Or Mood
Abuse isn’t always physical. Emotional or psychological abuse can cause significant changes in behavior. If your loved one becomes withdrawn, anxious, or fearful, especially around staff members, it’s worth looking into. These changes could signal mistreatment or neurological injury, and a lawyer experienced in nursing home abuse cases can help you understand your options.
3. Poor Hygiene Or Unsanitary Living Conditions
Neglect often shows up in the form of poor hygiene or unclean living spaces. If your loved one is consistently unbathed, wearing dirty clothes, or living in a room that’s not properly maintained, this could be a sign that the staff isn’t meeting their basic needs or even committing medical malpractice. A Bel Air nursing home abuse lawyer can help you address these issues and hold the facility accountable.
4. Missing Personal Items Or Financial Irregularities
Financial exploitation is a common form of elder abuse. If you notice missing valuables, unexplained withdrawals, or sudden changes to financial documents, it’s important to take action. A nursing home abuse lawyer can help you investigate these concerns and protect your loved one’s assets.
5. Staff Avoidance Or Lack Of Transparency
If the nursing home staff avoids your questions, refuses to provide information, or becomes defensive when you raise concerns, this is a major red flag. Transparency is key in any care facility, and a lack of it could indicate that something is being hidden. A lawyer can help you demand answers and ensure your loved one’s rights are protected.
Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Bel Air, MD
At Ketterer, Browne & Associates, LLC, we understand how difficult it can be to see a loved one suffer. If you notice any of these red flags, don’t wait to seek help. Our team is here to support you and your family every step of the way.
If you suspect abuse or neglect, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer in Bel Air, MD, today. Let us help you take the next steps toward justice and peace of mind.
