Maryland Nursing Home Sepsis Lawyer
If your loved one is suffering from sepsis and you suspect nursing home neglect as the cause, contact a Maryland nursing home sepsis lawyer as soon as possible. Nursing homes are required by law to provide residents with a degree of care that prevents such infection and ensure that their rights are met.
Sepsis is an extreme response to infection that results in damage to the body’s own organs and tissues. It is potentially life-threatening and often caused by kidney infections, abdominal infections, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections. When nursing home residents do not receive proper care, sepsis can develop from this neglect.
Symptoms of Sepsis
Although the extreme autoimmune response that causes sepsis can stem from various diseases and infections, there is a common group of symptoms across affected individuals.
These symptoms include:
- Fever
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing
- Mental confusion
- Decreased urination
- Patches of discolored skin
- Unconsciousness
Given the fact that sepsis can develop from other diseases, it is a particularly dangerous risk for residents that are struggling with infections in the absence of proper care. Individuals that notice any of the above symptoms in their loved one are advised to take written and photo records of each one and present them to an attorney.
For here, they can begin piecing together the evidence and connecting it to abuse and neglect on behalf of the nursing home staff.
Nursing Home Standard of Care
The federal Nursing Home Reform Act requires all state nursing homes that receive Medicare and Medicaid payments to meet the same universal guidelines.
Some requirements include:
- Sufficient staff
- Assessment of each resident’s needs
- Comprehensive care plans
- Promotion of quality of life
- Treating residents with dignity and respect
Failing to meet these requirements can result in fines against the nursing home and provide the foundation for a lawsuit. However, nursing homes that do not receive Medicaid and Medicare payments are not obligated to follow these laws. In cases of abuse at the hands of such nursing homes, victims must look to state laws to supplement their case.
Maryland Nursing Home Rules and Regulations
All nursing homes in Maryland are licensed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. This means they must meet the standards outlined in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) for nursing homes, which was adopted under the authority of Code of Maryland General Health Article §19-343. For example, residents have a right to receive care, treatment, and services within an environment that maintains or enhances their quality of life.
Other rights include:
- A dignified existence
- Communication and access to services and individuals outside of the nursing home
- Participation in treatment and care
- Choice of an attending physician
- Freedom from verbal abuse, physical abuse, mental abuse, and sexual abuse
In the case of sepsis, improper treatment and care and a lack of access to adequate medical services are common causes. When individuals at Maryland nursing homes experience sepsis, attorneys will likely examine the facility’s adherence to rights outlined in the COMAR for nursing homes, especially ones that pertain to medical treatment.
Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice
In cases where nursing home residents are suffering from harm due to sepsis resulting from medical malpractice, Maryland Courts & Judicial Proceedings Code §5-109 states that a lawsuit must be filed within five years from the date of the injury or three years from the date of discovery—whichever is first.
Given that sepsis is often a response to disease, determining the date of malpractice in nursing home cases is difficult. With the help of nursing home sepsis attorney, individuals are in the best position to fight for compensation.
A legal professional that understands the nature of these cases and will know where to look for evidence—such as medical records, letters, and emails—and how to obtain it.
Speak with a Maryland Nursing Home Sepsis Attorney Today
If your loved one is suffering from sepsis due to negligence at the hands of nursing home staff, contact a Maryland nursing home sepsis lawyer as soon as possible. With the right legal guidance, you can begin piecing together a case and may be able to earn compensation for your loved one’s pain.
