Attorney
The Baltimore Sun reported recently that the family of a woman who died last year has filed a lawsuit against a Catonsville nursing home claiming that its neglect contributed to her death.
According to the newspaper, the lawsuit was filed in the Baltimore County Circuit Court against ManorCare Health Services-Woodbridge Valley, accusing it of negligence. The family claims that the 85-year-old woman at the center of the case was shown in a video being ignored by staff members at the facility when she was crying out from pain, hours before her death.
The company that owns and operates the facility, HCR ManorCare, declined to comment about the lawsuit when it was contacted by the Sun. The woman who died was transferred to the location after a fall at her home in July.
The video was shot by the woman’s daughter-in-law, who said that the woman suffered from “unexplained injuries” while she was at the facility. The woman reportedly died 36 hours after the video was shot. The family is seeking $30 million in damages.
As we noted in this April blog, Maryland laws allow the family members of nursing home residents to record on properties, as long as the facility will permit it. Many families choose to record stays, as they would like to monitor their loved ones.
The AARP supports the use of cameras in nursing homes, saying they are good for communication and observation.
What Can I Do About Nursing Home Abuse?
If your family member has suffered injuries due to neglect or abuse at a nursing home, it may be in your best interest to speak to our Maryland attorneys. If you have video of any alleged incident or you have documented proof that your loved one suffered, we can investigate your claims and determine if you are entitled to damages.
Nursing home abuse or neglect can result in bedsores, open wounds, broken bones, medication errors and/or malnourishment. Your loved one should not suffer because he or she has diminished capabilities and may be in the need of medical care and supervision.
Follow our social media sites for news about injury accidents in Maryland.
If you have concerns about a nursing home’s reputation, if it receives public assistance, you can visit Medicare.org to view information about its inspection results and staffing reports.
Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP
Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-co-manorcare-lawsuit-20150623-story.html