Dundalk Personal Injury Lawyer

Founded back in 1856, Dundalk, MD, is the largest unincorporated community in the state and considered by some to be one the original inner-ring suburbs of Baltimore City. With a recorded population of more than 63,000 in 2010, the area has grown significantly since its founding in 1917. Getting its name from the Dundalk area of Ireland, the community saw its start just after the turn of the 20th century when the Bethlehem Steel Company purchased 1,000 acres of farmland to create a housing development for its shipyard workers.

At that time, Dundalk had just 62 homes erected, with two retail stores, a post office and a telephone exchange. Since then the community has expanded well beyond the plans of its early founder’s. With a total area of 17.4 square miles, 13 of which is land area, the population density of this community is about 3,700 people per square mile. The surrounding topography is mostly flat and sits at just about sea level.

Because of its proximity to Chesapeake Bay, Dundalk is part of a subtropical zone. The climate is usually humid and can be quite hot in the warmer months, with frequent precipitation in the afternoon hours. Springtime and fall offer the best temperatures with relatively lower humidity. Winters are not very harsh with snow being a sporadic and short-lived event. While the year-round weather is not necessarily optimal for older individuals, Dundalk still has a significant contingent of senior citizens and retired residents.

With more than 24,000 households serving as home for almost 17,000 families, the number of single-person residences with an individual aged 65 years or older is around 13 percent. This is borne out by statistics that show 22 percent of Dundalk’s population range in age from 45 to 64 year old, with another 18 percent of the population being 65 or older. As in any community with a percentage of older people— senior citizens and the elderly — Dundalk residents may find that an immediate family member, a close relative or that of a friend may one day be admitted into an assisted living facility or a nursing home.

Although most of these facilities and the organizations that run them are usually well-intentioned, problems associated with resident or patient mistreatment are not unheard of these days. Because of this, the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, is highly attuned to concerns of families whose aging loved one has met with a questionable accident or another possible nursing home abuse event.

Whether the abuse is based on outright violence toward an elderly individual, or if it happens in the form of negligence leading to a serious medical condition, time is usually of the essence and action should be immediate once any problem has come to the attention of the victim’s family. As experienced legal experts, the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen know very well how a seemingly simple medical condition, possibly one resulting from alleged negligence or abuse, can easily send an older person into a downward spiral leading, many times, to premature and unexpected death.

For most personal injury claims occurring in the Dundalk area, it is not uncommon for a lawsuit to be filed in one of the many Baltimore County circuit courts. These courts, like the one at 401 Bosley Avenue in Towson, MD, function as trial courts of general jurisdiction, with full common law and equity powers in all civil, criminal, juvenile and other family law cases. A personal injury or a wrongful death lawsuit is often filed as a result of a nursing home or elder care abuse accident.

The lawyers at the offices of Lebowitz & Mzhen understand the trust that families place in nursing homes and other assisted living facilities when they make that always difficult choice to put an elderly parent or other aged relative into the hands of professional caregivers. Sadly, many nursing home residents can end up suffering from some kind of abuse or neglect when staying at some of these facilities.

Because neglect differs from abuse, it is a wise idea to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney who has experience in handling nursing home abuse cases. We at Lebowitz & Mzhen know the difference between the legal standards that determine nursing home neglect versus abuse. This is important, since the most common legal claims against nursing homes usually fall into one of three categories; the previously mentioned abuse and neglect, or the third, that of medical malpractice.

In case of abuse, we look at a number of possible manifestations including the following:

• Malnutrition / Dehydration
• Bed Sores
• Falls within the facility
• Sepsis / blood poisoning
• Physical and/or sexual abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Broken bones or fractures
• Unexplained burns

As experienced Maryland trial lawyers, Lebowitz & Mzhen have as our primary goal to achieve the best possible outcome for each of our valued clients. We maintain this approach no matter what kind of personal injury lawsuit our clients wish to pursue. This includes not only nursing home neglect and abuse cases, but those pertaining to medical malpractice, surgical errors, pharmacy errors and misfills, injuries sustained during child birth, serious and fatal injuries to minors and young children, not to mention automobile and motorcycle accidents.

We endeavor to provide every one of our clients with the best possible representation. To better understand your rights under the laws of the state of Maryland, as well as for injury accidents that may have occurred in the District of Columbia, we invite you to contact us by phone at (800) 654-1949 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Our main offices are located in the Owings Mills area, about 16 miles from Baltimore. The law offices of Lebowitz & Mzhen are situated at 10 Crossroads Drive, Suite 105, Owings Mills, MD, 21117. Getting to our offices is easily accomplished by taking the Jones Falls Expressway to I-695 West. Merge onto I-695 West/ Baltimore Beltway Outer Loop and head towards Pikesville, then go 4.4 miles and take the MD-140 North exit (Exit 20) toward Garrison. Making a right-hand turn onto Reisterstown Road/MD-140 West, travel another 1.3 miles to Crossroads Drive, then turn left and take the first right onto Park Center Court. Make a left at the first available street, driving into the parking lot that serves our offices. You will find us conveniently located on the first floor, Suite 105.