A recent legislative session and series of reports have confirmed what many families already feared: too many nursing homes across Maryland have gone years without being properly inspected. That delay poses a serious risk to residents who may already be facing neglect, unsanitary conditions, or physical harm. If your loved one has suffered in a Maryland nursing home, you are not alone, and you may have legal grounds to take action.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, just over half of the state’s 220 nursing homes received their required annual inspections in the past 16 months. While this is an improvement from previous reports, it still means that nearly 100 facilities have not been examined as required by federal rules. Some of those homes have gone more than four years without a visit from state health inspectors. Those delays create conditions where abuse and neglect can persist, unchecked and undocumented.
Why Do Facility Inspections Matter in Abuse Cases?
Inspection reports are often a key source of evidence in nursing home abuse cases. Without regular oversight, facilities may cut corners, understaff critical positions, or ignore resident complaints. In some of the most troubling situations, residents have been left in soiled clothing for hours or isolated from social and community activities. These conditions are not just signs of poor management; they may be signs of actionable neglect.