Can I File A Nursing Home Lawsuit In Il
If you believe that elder abuse has caused you or a loved one physical injury, emotional suffering, financial exploitation or other damages in a long-term care facility then you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit.
These cases are often complex and require experienced legal counsel so it is highly recommended to contact an nursing home abuse attorney to assist with the legal process.
Our team of experienced elder law attorneys in Illinois can help you file a complaint and pursue legal action against negligent health care providers.
Contact A Nursing Home Abuse Attorney In Chicago
If someone you love has been mistreated while being cared for in a nursing home facility, you have every right to be angry. Our legal team can help you fight for your loved ones rights and help you pursue compensation for all the pain and suffering your loved one was forced to endure. To speak with a nursing home abuse attorney at the Chicago offices of Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC, about the particulars of your claim, please call 346-8620 today.
What Are The Most Common Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse In Chicago Illinois
Our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers believe in providing our Illinois residents with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their family’s futures.
The reality is, if you have entrusted a nursing home with your loved one’s care, the sooner you can identify any signs of nursing home abuse, the quicker you can get your family member help, and pursue the individual, staff, or facility for their wrongdoing, so no one else suffers from their abusive behavior.
Some of the most common signsof nursing home abuse, neglect, or mistreatment in Chicago may include, but is not limited to:
- Soiled bedding
- Irritation or acts of violence
- Unkempt appearance, including dirty clothes or unwashed hair
- Unexplained weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration
- No longer participates in activities that were once enjoyable
- Unexplained bruises, burns, or scars
- Broken personal property, including glasses or other everyday items they count on
- Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations
- Restraint marks
- Showing signs of being scared or frightened of certain staff members
- Traumatized or withdrawn behavior, and a refusal to see visitors
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
- Inconsistencies in prescriptions, including signs of over-or underuse
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We Have Seen It All When It Comes To Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect And Know What To Do
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC has experience prosecuting a diverse range of circumstances involving abuse and untimely death in a skilled nursing center in the Chicago area and throughout Illinois.
Our lawyers have successfully prosecuted the neglect and abuse practice areas: some of the following scenarios involving serious physical injuries in nursing homes, typically referred to as elder abuse or neglect.
Who Can Take Legal Action In Nursing Home Neglect Or Abuse Cases
Nursing home patients can pursue a claim if they were injured because of neglect or abuse. However, patients may be killed due to nursing home misconduct or may be unable to act on their own behalf.
If a death occurs, close family members, including a surviving spouse or child, may be able to make a wrongful death claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. If the patient is alive but unable to pursue his or her own legal claim, then the patients representative will pursue legal action. To learn more about neglect and abuse cases involving nursing homes, please visit our page on Wrongful Death in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases.
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The Abuse Worsens And Harm Results
If your loved one within a nursing home has suffered injury or a health complication that you do not believe would have occurred but for the nursing home abuse or neglect, then you may seek to hold the nursing home liable for that harm.
You will have to prove that the nursing home owed your loved one a duty of care , and that that duty of care was violated. You would also need to show that the negligence was the cause of your loved ones harm, and that your loved one has suffered actual losses as a direct result.
What Are Signs That My Family Member Is Being Abused In A Nursing Home
Unfortunately, abuse occurs too often in Illinois nursing homes. Certain signs may indicate that your loved one is a victim.
The most common types of abuse in nursing homes are:
- Physical abuse You can detect this if your loved one has unexplained bruises and cuts, or if you observe torn, stained or even bloody clothing.
- Emotional abuse Although your loved one may be suffering internally, you can pick up on external signs of this abuse, such as your loved ones depression, insomnia or fear around particular caregivers.
- Sexual abuse If your loved one has suffered a sexually transmitted disease or has bruising on the buttocks, breasts or inner thighs, this may indicate sexual abuse is occurring.
- Financial abuse If your loved one is missing money or possessions, checks bounce and bills are unpaid, a nursing home staff member may be financially abusing him or her.
Please see our section on Signs of Nursing Home Abuse to learn more about this subject as well as steps you can take to protect your loved one if you suspect nursing home abuse.
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What Rights Do Nursing Home Residents Have
The Nursing Home Reform Act also includes a Bill of Rights. Patient rights include:
- The right to privacy
- The right to participate in the review of their care plans
- The right to welcome or refuse visitors
- The right to medic necessary medical care, including psychological and social care
- The right to choose a physician
- The right to voice grievances without discrimination or retaliation
- The right to be fully informed about advance about any changes in care
- The right to communicate freely
Help For Your Loved Ones Call 815
There are a number of federal and state laws that address a nursing homes responsibility to the patients under its care. Attorney Daniel Flaherty is prepared to utilize every one of them to help your family achieve the full justice you deserve. He will advocate on your behalf throughout every step of the process, holding the facility liable for injuries related to:
- Bed sores
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Tips On Hiring An Experienced Lawyer With Nursing Home Neglect Cases
The more experienced a lawyer is in legal practice, the more likely he/she will be able to bring about a successful resolution to your issue. Since experience matters, lawyers whove been practicing law for many years tend to be in high demand. You should look for information about a lawyers experience and ask questions during the initial meeting. Its a very good idea to ask the lawyer how many years he/she has been practicing law and the expected outcome of your case.
A Variety Of Abuse Situations
Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including injuries due to falls, dehydration, malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, gangrene, bed sores, poor medical care, incorrect medication and over-sedation. Some of the other damages that can occur are less apparent, such as abandonment, theft, sexual assault, lack of supervision, physical or mental abuse, coercion and defective equipment. Each of these situations can lead to injury or death, which would warrant the help of a nursing home abuse lawyer.
If you think you have a case, contact our nursing home abuse attorney, serving Joliet, Mokena, New Lenox, Lockport and Plainfield.
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You Suspect That Abuse Or Negligence Has Occurred
If you see signs of abuse or neglect of your loved one, you may have the right to take legal action.
Neglect refers to the failure of a nursing home to provide the care and attention that its residents deserve, while abuse generally refers to intentional misconduct.
Malpractice is a type of negligence that occurs when a medical professional within a nursing home fails to treat a patient in a manner that is consistent with the medical standard of care.
Signs of nursing home abuse, neglect and malpractice include:
Causes Of Nursing Home Neglect
Elderly abuse has existed, to some degree, for all time, but only the last few hundred years has it become a problem that society wants to correct. Along with other social movements that began in the 1960s, the recognition of the prevalence of elderly abuse and neglect became more widely known, and adult children of elderly residents in nursing homes demanded transparency about their loved ones nursing home care. Our attorneys for nursing home abuse have since helped hundreds of families who were devastated to learn of their Chicago nursing home abuse.
Most nursing home abuse can be traced back to the administrators, owners or managers who are looking out for themselves rather than their residents. These owners are trying to make money at the expense of the health and safety of residents. Rather than make repairs, provide essential care items or expand their nursing team, they line their pockets.
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Reporting Nursing Home Abuse In Illinois
If a loved one is in immediate harm at a nursing home call 911. If the abuse does not require immediate attention report the incident to police by calling your local non-emergency number.
You may also call Adult Protective Services at 1-866-800-1409. This is a 24-hour hotline and this agency investigates accusations of abuse, neglect or exploitation. APS also works to educate about the requirements of reporting and are responsible for cross-reporting to law enforcement and other public agencies.
More on reporting elder abuse and how APS can help.
How An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
The fact that injuries from nursing home abuse and neglect are relatively common is quite disheartening. In such situations, filing an injury claim can help you hold the nursing home or adult care facility accountable for your loved one’s injuries. However, proving negligence and recovering damages in nursing home abuse cases can be difficult without the help of an experienced attorney.
At Larson Law Group LLC, our top priority is to protect your loved one’s safety and general well-being. We remain committed to helping injured victims and their families pursue the compensation they need and deserve. As your legal counsel, we will review every last detail of your unique situation, conduct an in-depth and private investigation, and exhaust all available legal options to recover damages.
Attorney John Larson and his legal team will fight compassionately on your side to protect your vulnerable loved one’s rights and work to hold the liable parties accountable. We will do everything we can to help recover deserved compensation for your loved oneâs injuries and any additional pain and suffering they have been forced to endure. With our team on your side, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands.
Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Serving Chicago, Illinois
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Skilled Nursing Home Neglect And Abuse Attorney In Cook County
With the Baby Boomer generation now entering retirement, nursing home populations are soaring. This increase in patient loads has led to staffing shortages and, in many cases, a lower quality of care. Worse yet, instances of nursing home and elder care negligence and abuse are on the rise as well. If you have an aging loved one that you believe is being abused or receiving substandard care in a nursing facility, it is important to have a strong advocate in your corner fighting hard to protect your loved one’s rights and interests.
At Sinson Law Group, we believe there are few causes more important than protecting the elderly in our society. When there is negligence or abuse happening at nursing homes and other senior care facilities, those responsible need to be held fully accountable, so they do not continue to commit such egregious acts. Attorney Kent Sinson and his team work closely with clients to learn all the important facts of the case and thoroughly investigate what is happening, so we can quickly put a stop to it. Kent is honest, straightforward, and down to earth, and he stands by your side from start to finish to see your case to a successful conclusion.
Types Of Nursing Home Neglect
There are four main types of nursing home neglect, which include:
- Medical Neglect: This type of neglect describes a situation where nursing home staff fail to properly attend to or prevent the exacerbation of a residents medical concerns. One example of medical neglect is staff making medication errors. This in turn, can result in inadequate diabetic care, bedsores, infections, mobility issues, and other health problems.
- Neglect of Basic Needs: This type of neglect describes a situation where a nursing home facility or nursing home staff fail to provide a resident with enough food, water, or a clean, safe living environment.
- Neglect of Personal Hygiene: This type of neglect describes a situation where a nursing facility fails to properly help a resident with dental care, laundry, bathing, and other hygienic needs.
- Social or Emotional Neglect: This type of neglect describes a situation where a nursing home facility or nursing home staff intentionally ignores a nursing home resident by leaving them alone or failing to provide them with enough social and emotional care.
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Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you suspect that an elderly family member of yours has been injured or suffered a wrongful death or elder abuse in a long term care facility, a Chicago nursing home attorney at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., can help you.
We investigate elder abuse cases in Chicago and throughout Illinois. If you believe a family member has been a victim of nursing home negligence or abuse, contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., today at our toll-free number or fill out our online form. We can provide a free, no-obligation consultation.
Experienced Nursing Home Lawyers
A nursing home negligence lawyer should have experience in handling nursing home negligence lawsuits. Our nursing home neglect lawyers and wrongful death attorneys have recovered millions for elderly who suffer neglect at a nursing home and need an attorney. You should consider this experience when choosing a nursing home neglect lawyer.
Often times, a nursing home negligence attorney must consider potential lawsuits against hospitals or doctors who might be involved with the care of an elderly patient. Medical malpractice lawsuits, involving hospital neglect of the elderly, sometimes run hand-in-hand with nursing home neglect cases. A lawyer for nursing home negligence should consider any medical accident or hospital lawsuits that were involved in the care of your loved one.
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How To Report Nursing Home Neglect In Illinois
Unfortunately, the neglect of elderly individuals is very common within nursing homes and similar long-term care facilities. According to a 2020 survey from the World Health Organization , 12% of nursing home employees actually admitted to neglecting residents during the previous year. It is important to recognize the signs of nursing home neglect and to report these signs to the appropriate parties if you suspect a family member or any other residents are victims of neglect or mistreatment. The following article will further explore the concept of nursing home neglect and provide some helpful information regarding how to report suspected instances of nursing home neglect in the state of Illinois.
Situations Involving Nursing Home Neglect
While the above condition or injuries may be considered ‘abusive,’ the conditions below indicate poor care or signs of neglect.
Was your loved one a victim of any of the above situations or medical conditions? If so, we invite you to contact our law office for a free consultation with an experienced Illinois nursing home abuse attorney who can advise you of your legal rights and options for recourse against the facility.
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A Look At How Elder Abuse Affects Society And The Victim
While nursing home abuse may be difficult to identify, its consequences are clear. Seniors who are forced to endure neglect and other forms of abuse frequently suffer disabling injuries, failing health, and reduced quality of life.
Research indicates that victims of elderly abuse tend to die at a younger age, regardless of whether they are affected by chronic or life-threatening conditions.
If you believe someone you love has been a victim of elder abuse in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, its important to seek legal counsel. By proving that abuse, neglect or exploitation occurred, you and your loved one may have grounds for a nursing home abuse lawsuit.
What Is Considered Nursing Home Neglect
There are two basic types of nursing home neglect: physical and emotional. Physical neglect takes place when a persons basic needs for such things as hygiene, nourishment, sleep, and elimination are ignored. Physical neglect also includes ignoring a patients need for medical attention. Emotional abuse takes place when a patient is ignored or not monitored for a long period of time.
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What Safety Measures And Precautions Are Nursing Homes Required To Take Related To Covid
Strict guidelines have been issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health to ensure proper monitoring of staff and residents. All nursing home residents should have vitals and pulse oximetry screened every 8 hours.
In the event of a positive COVID-19 test or viral respiratory infection, the nursing home resident must be placed in a private room provided a mask provided a routine pathogen test and immediately placed in both contact and droplet transmission-based precautions. Symptomatic nursing home residents should only leave their room for necessary medical procedures and staff should consider working with only positive or negative residents. Ultimately, a nursing home resident should be transferred to a hospital based upon criteria used for other illnesses.
Facilities should stop group activities and restrict visitation to essential individuals. Meanwhile, staff members are instructed to stay home when sick and should be screened prior to beginning their shift. A nursing home should properly educate staff members on hygiene, disinfection and proper use of personal protective equipment. Updated guidance on the phased safe re-opening of nursing homes can be found here.