Nursing home abuse and neglect may occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes abuse at nursing homes can occur due to negligence on the part of nursing staff. Nursing homes and elder care facilities have a duty to provide care and supervision to residents. Elder care facilities may fail to meet this duty because of inadequate training, improperly low staffing levels, or other negligent policies. The following are some grounds for filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit for compensation:
- Negligent hiring of employees: State and local laws in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. mandate that nursing homes may not hire individuals with a predisposition towards violence. Laws and regulations require adequate background investigations to prevent senior care residents from being put at unnecessary risk. If potential employees at nursing homes are not scrutinized or have potential warning signs examined prior to being hired, the nursing home could be found responsible for the abuse taking place at the hands of these individuals.
- Inadequate training and supervision of staff: While many nursing home staff are hardworking and well-meaning, they may put our loved ones at risk because they are ill-prepared to handle the special needs of seniors. Nursing homes in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. have a legal duty to properly train and supervise staff attending to the needs of nursing home residents. If an injury to a senior is suffered because the staff were untrained in dealing with his or her needs, the nursing home could be liable for the damages.
- Understaffing: Some jurisdictions require certain levels of staffing be met in nursing homes to ensure proper care and supervision is given to seniors. Unfortunately, many nursing homes place profits before the needs of the people for whom they have a legal duty to provide proper care. The nursing home may simply not staff enough employees to take care of the elder care residents and their needs may be overlooked despite the best efforts of the attending staff. If a nursing home fails to meet state or federal laws regarding staffing levels, the nursing home may be held responsible for the negative consequences of its negligent actions.
Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
When you notice the signs of nursing home abuse, you should ask the home manager about the signs and request immediate action. If the signs of abuse persist, you should contact an attorney. If your loved one is in imminent danger, we will instruct you on how best to proceed. This may include involving the police and having your loved one removed from the facility.
Once your loved one is safe, we will begin conducting a thorough investigation into the conditions under which they live. We will leave no stone unturned in our search for the causes of your loved one’s injuries, doing everything possible to determine the source of abuse and neglect.
The nursing home abuse attorneys at the Cochran Firm’s Washington, D.C. office have tried many cases on behalf of those who suffered abuse and neglect at the hands of nursing homes. Attorney W. Charles Meltmar secured a $1.28 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered severe burns while in the care of a Fredericksburg, Virginia nursing home.
Nursing home abuse and negligence attorneys like W. Charles Meltmar at the Cochran Firm’s Washington, D.C. office are ready to take on these abusive nursing homes who failed to live up to their legal and moral duties to take care of your loved ones.
Contact Us
For a free, prompt, and confidential case evaluation, please contact us and help protect your loved ones from nursing home abuse. Your loved one deserves to be treated with dignity and ensured a safe and comfortable place to live. We are here to make sure they are afforded these basic human rights.
Charles Meltmar – Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer DC
“I highly RECOMMEND Attorney Charles Meltmar at the Cochran firm. I am thankful for effort and patience Charles showed in successfully settling my case under very difficult circumstances. He is very passionate about helping families and a great negotiator. The staff is personable, responsive and trustworthy. Great Firm! “
Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5 stars
