Families trust nursing homes and assisted living facilities to keep their loved ones safe, clean, and properly cared for. When a facility in Prince George’s County fails to meet that basic obligation — through understaffing, inadequate training, or outright indifference — residents suffer preventable injuries that can be life-threatening. Maryland law provides legal remedies for nursing home neglect, including the right to file a civil lawsuit for damages and to report the facility to state regulators. Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers holds negligent nursing homes accountable across Prince George’s County and throughout Maryland, with over $90 million recovered for injured clients and their families.
What Is Nursing Home Neglect Under Maryland Law?
Nursing home neglect occurs when a facility fails to provide a resident with the care and services necessary to maintain their health, safety, and well-being. Unlike abuse, which involves intentional harm, neglect results from the facility’s failure to act. Under Md. Code, Health-Gen. § 19-347, Maryland nursing home residents have the right to adequate and appropriate medical care, freedom from neglect, and a safe living environment.
Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers has pursued claims against nursing facilities throughout Prince George’s County — including facilities in Upper Marlboro, Bowie, Laurel, and Hyattsville — for failing to meet the standards of care that Maryland law requires.
What Are the Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect?
Neglect in a nursing home does not always leave obvious marks. Families should watch for signs that may indicate a facility is not providing adequate care.
- Bedsores (pressure ulcers). Stage III and Stage IV bedsores are almost always preventable with proper repositioning, nutrition, and skin care. Their presence often signals serious staffing failures.
- Unexplained weight loss or dehydration. Residents who are not receiving adequate meals, fluids, or feeding assistance may lose weight rapidly or show signs of dehydration.
- Falls and fractures. Repeated falls may indicate that the facility is not following the resident’s care plan, failing to provide assistive devices, or leaving residents unattended.
- Infections. Urinary tract infections, sepsis, and pneumonia can result from poor hygiene care, infrequent catheter changes, or unsanitary living conditions.
- Medication errors. Missing doses, wrong medications, or incorrect dosages can cause serious medical complications.
- Poor hygiene. Soiled clothing or bedding, body odor, and untreated dental problems suggest that basic daily care is not being provided.
- Emotional withdrawal or fearfulness. A resident who becomes withdrawn, anxious, or reluctant to speak openly around staff may be experiencing neglect or emotional abuse.
How Do You Report Nursing Home Neglect in Maryland?
Maryland residents and family members can report suspected nursing home neglect to the Maryland Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), which licenses and inspects nursing facilities statewide. OHCQ investigates complaints and has the authority to impose sanctions, fines, or license revocation against facilities that violate state regulations.
You can also check a facility’s inspection history and complaint record through the CMS Care Compare database maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Facilities with repeated deficiencies or below-average staffing ratings may pose a higher risk to residents.
Reporting to OHCQ protects other residents but does not by itself result in compensation for the harm your family member has already suffered. Filing a separate civil claim through a nursing home neglect attorney is the path to recovering damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses. Contact Lebowitz & Mzhen to discuss whether your loved one’s situation supports a legal claim.
What Legal Options Exist for Nursing Home Neglect in Prince George’s County?
Families of neglected nursing home residents in Maryland can pursue a civil lawsuit against the facility, its ownership company, and individual staff members whose negligence caused harm. These claims are filed in the Circuit Court of the county where the facility is located — for Prince George’s County facilities, that means filing in Prince George’s County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro.
Recoverable damages in a Maryland nursing home neglect lawsuit include the cost of corrective medical treatment, hospitalization, pain and suffering experienced by the resident, and emotional distress suffered by family members in certain circumstances. If neglect contributed to a resident’s death, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-904.
The statute of limitations for a nursing home negligence claim in Maryland is generally three years under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101, though certain medical malpractice-related claims may require filing a certificate of qualified expert within specific time limits. An attorney experienced in Maryland nursing home litigation can determine the applicable deadline and procedural requirements for your family’s case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a nursing home in Maryland for bedsores?
Yes. Advanced bedsores — particularly Stage III and Stage IV pressure ulcers — are considered strong evidence of neglect because they are almost always preventable with proper care. A nursing home neglect lawsuit can seek compensation for the pain, medical treatment, and complications caused by bedsores that the facility should have prevented.
What is the difference between nursing home abuse and neglect?
Abuse involves intentional acts that cause harm to a resident, such as hitting, restraining without medical justification, or verbal intimidation. Neglect involves a failure to provide necessary care, resulting in harm through inaction — such as failing to reposition a bedridden resident, failing to provide adequate nutrition, or failing to administer prescribed medications.
How do I know if a Prince George’s County nursing home has been cited for violations?
The CMS Care Compare website and the Maryland OHCQ maintain public records of nursing home inspections, complaints, and enforcement actions. You can search by facility name or location to review deficiency citations, staffing levels, and quality ratings.
Speak with a Prince George’s County Nursing Home Neglect Attorney
Holding a negligent nursing home accountable requires evidence — medical records, staffing logs, facility inspection reports, and expert testimony about the standard of care. The attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have nearly 30 years of experience handling complex negligence cases in Maryland courts, including nursing home claims filed in Prince George’s County. Founding partner Vadim Mzhen’s engineering background from the University of Pennsylvania provides a methodical, evidence-driven approach to establishing how a facility’s failures caused harm. Call (800) 654-1949 or contact the firm online for a free consultation. No fees unless you win.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is evaluated on its own facts and applicable law.