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Free Case ConsultGroup homes are places where those with physical, emotional or psychological problems should be able to live in the community safely. They don’t provide the same level of medical care as a nursing home or hospital, but residents depend on staff to maintain their health and safety. All too often, group homes act negligently and residents are injured, sometimes seriously, leading to permanent limitations or death.
Children and adults with conditions severe enough that they can’t live by themselves or with their own families can be highly vulnerable to injury if they live in a group home that doesn’t provide appropriate care and protection. Common problems that arise can include:
Many of these problems arise in poorly managed, poorly funded, understaffed group homes where employees are more likely to exhibit these characteristics:
Management of group homes where injuries take place may mean well but fall short by trying to do too much with too few resources; some, however, are simply uncaring and see resident injuries as inevitable and not preventable. Given high employee turnover, management may be resistant to firing negligent or violent employees who cause harm to residents.
Though group homes are supposed to be regulated by the state, the reality is that many group homes violate laws and regulations and endanger residents. The Baltimore Sun investigated Second Family, a Prince George’s County nonprofit that was Maryland’s largest contractor for such care in 2014. In a series of articles, they reported:
The newspaper also found serious problems with what was Maryland’s second largest provider of group homes, LifeLine. Problems at its locations included inadequate medical care, a founder who was imprisoned for arson, unpaid taxes, and police reports of abuse and neglect unknown to state regulators.
If you have a loved one in a group home, there are steps you can take to try to discourage negligence or abuse — or at least detect it if it occurs.
The Law Offices of Roger S. Weinberg has successfully handled numerous serious injuries and death cases which have occurred in group homes for the developmentally disabled. Unlike litigation for medical, nursing or assisted living malpractice, these facilities operate under specific provisions of the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). Knowledge of these regulations is essential to the successful outcome of a case.
If your family member has been injured or killed while living in a Maryland group home and you believe the incident may have been caused by abuse, neglect or negligence, contact our office. We can discuss the situation, the applicable laws and the legal options for obtaining compensation for the injuries or death. At the Law Offices of Roger S. Weinberg, you’ll find compassionate support and experienced advocates to help your family through difficult times caused by group home negligence and abuse. Call 410-825-3161 today to schedule a free consultation.