Silver Spring Maryland Personal Injury Legal Blog

The decision to seek qualified care for a beloved family member in failing health is never made without careful deliberation. Once the decision is made, families conduct a search for the facility that will best meet their loved one's needs. Many Maryland families still worry that their loved one could become a victim of nursing home negligence or abuse.

One nursing home is the focus of two separate investigations for negligent care. A national organization, Families for Better Care, has taken on the task of monitoring nursing home facilities across the country in an effort to help families obtain the best care possible for their loved ones. This group is alarmed over the lack of care at one facility in a southern state. According to the rating system this group uses, this particular state has scored a failing grade over the past three years, based partially on the lack of adequate staffing. 

Maryland residents are in the midst of annual summer festivities, and with so much to see and do, people may not realize the potential to be injured at places and events that are supposed to be fun. Unfortunately, there is the potential for harm to befall a person while he or she is trying to have an enjoyable day. Each year, hundreds of people are injured at fairs, parades, water parks and other summer staples. When it comes to premises liability, there are a few tips for victims to keep in mind. 

Experts advise that a victim try to keep good documentation of the events immediately following an injury. Having proof of how much a victim had to spend on things like doctor visits, medical supplies and other accident-related expenses is important to document for a court to see how an injury caused a person to incur monetary damages. Victims are advised to keep in mind that even injuries that may seem accidental may be the fault of the property owner. For example, if a person trips and falls due to an unmarked hazard, like a pot hole or a wet floor, there may be a claim for negligence against the owner and/or party in possession of the property. 

Spending time at the poolside is par for the course at this time of the year, and so is accidental slip-and-fall injuries. In Maryland, hosts are always responsible for the safety of their guests, whether they be private homeowners or hospitality facilities like hotels or resorts. When such incidents cause injuries, the victims might have grounds to file premises liability lawsuits against the property owner.

Wet surfaces cause many of the safety hazards around swimming pools, and property owners must look out for and repair low spots where water can form puddles. Algae growth can cause extremely slippery conditions, and can occur on constantly wet surfaces. Trip hazards must also be addressed, such as uneven surfaces, anchors for the pool cover and random objects around the pool.

Many older Americans have age-related factors affecting them that make them more prone to falling. Many of them live in facilities that do not always make every effort to prevent resident falls. Together, this can be a deadly combination. If you have a parent or other loved one living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you may have legitimate cause for concern.

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News reports that about 1,800 nursing home residents across the nation die every year because of fall-related injuries. Additionally, the average American nursing home housing 100 or so residents reports between 100 and 200 resident falls every year. It is important to note, though, that this number refers specifically to the number of falls – suggesting the true figure could be higher.