For most people, putting their trust in someone else to care for a family member is a difficult decision. After selecting a facility, you trust the staff to provide quality and compassionate care for your loved one.
While this is the expectation, the unfortunate reality is that nursing home neglect and abuse happen every day. If you believe your loved one has been a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, contact our legal team at Drake & Collopy, P.C., as soon as possible. We provide aggressive representation for nursing home abuse victims in the Chicago area and throughout Illinois.
Types of Chicago Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases We Take On
There are several forms of nursing home abuse. Abuse may be physical, financial, sexual, or emotional. We handle a wide range of cases, including:
Fractures Caused by Falls
Nursing home staff have a duty to supervise residents properly and to ensure the facility is safe. If these obligations are not met, residents may fall and suffer injuries including fractures.
Bed Sores
If proper care is not provided to bed-bound residents, then bedsores frequently develop. These are completely preventable. However, if nursing home employees do not have the proper training to prevent, identify, and treat bed sores, they can become serious injuries and even fatal.
Malnutrition
If elderly patients do not have proper supervision and care in a nursing home, they may become malnourished. Unfortunately, this is particularly dangerous for older individuals and may increase the possibility of injuries and illnesses.
Medication Errors
Mixing up medications, under-dosing, or overdosing are common nursing home errors. These can cause life-threatening situations.
Choking
Some seniors are more susceptible to choking than others. If proper supervision is not provided in a nursing home, this situation can occur.
Wrongful Death
If you have a loved one who passed away in an Illinois nursing home and you suspect neglect or abuse was a factor, our legal team can help. We can investigate the situation to determine the cause and take legal action to hold the responsible party accountable.
Sexual Harassment
Seniors who are victims of sexual harassment in a nursing home setting are often scared to say anything about the situation. In some cases, they may be unable to verbalize what happened. If you suspect your loved one is a victim of this type of nursing home abuse, you should act immediately.
Verbal Belittling
Unfortunately, verbal abuse is a common occurrence in some nursing homes. This can have serious psychological and emotional trauma for elderly individuals. If a facility has staff members who abuse or belittle residents, they should be held accountable for these actions.
Unreasonable Restraints
The situations where it is possible to legally use restraints on nursing home residents in Illinois are limited. The unlawful use of restraints can result in physical injuries and emotional trauma.
Sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening response your body has to infection. It can cause tissue damage, organ failure, and even death. Elderly people are often more susceptible to sepsis and require immediate medical attention from caregivers who know how to handle the situation, including going to the emergency room.
Clogged Breathing Tubes
Elderly people in nursing homes who suffer from conditions like ALS, pneumonia, or bronchitis may have to be intubated. The nursing home staff has a duty to make sure the breathing tubes do not get clogged and cause issues.
Related Article: IS DEHYDRATION A SIGN OF NURSING HOME NEGLECT?
Understanding the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act
This is a set of laws that were created to help protect nursing home residents and individuals in other institutions labeled as “long-term care facilities.” Under the Act, the safety of residents in both non-profit and for-profit nursing home facilities is protected.
If you believe that your elderly loved one was the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home or another long-term care facility, we encourage you to reach out to our legal team. We represent nursing home abuse victims in the Chicago area and throughout the state of Illinois.
Related Article: SUBTLE SIGNS OF NURSING HOME ABUSE TO WATCH FOR
Knowing the Signs of Neglect and Nursing Home Abuse in Chicago
It is often challenging for friends and family members of elderly individuals in nursing homes to know that abuse or neglect is happening. However, there are a few things to watch for when it comes to nursing home abuse:
- Frequent infections
- Unexplained or unusual skin tears, punctures, cuts, or bruising
- Lack of cleanliness
- Unexplained fractures or broken bones
- Dehydration
- Sudden weight loss
- Bed sores
- Mood swings or outbursts
- Lethargy
- Changes in appetite
- Withdrawn or reclusive behavior
In some situations, the staff at the nursing home may try to claim these issues are caused by the senior individual. However, if you are concerned this is not the case, you need to take action.
Related Article: WARNING SIGNS OF NURSING HOME NEGLECT AND ABUSE
How to Handle Suspected Nursing Home Abuse
If you believe your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, you can take a few steps to ensure they are protected. In some cases, contact your local law enforcement officer is recommended. There are multiple forms of elder neglect and abuse that are criminal acts. It is also important to report neglect or abuse to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Once you have handled any emergency situation, call us. Our team will begin investigating the situation right away to gather evidence of abuse and determine whether legal action can be pursued. Our legal team will advocate for your loved one and you through the entire process and provide guidance and advice to ensure those who are responsible are held accountable for their actions.
Related Article: UNDERSTANDING LONG TERM CARE AFTER A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY
Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you believe your loved one may have a nursing home neglect or abuse claim, our experienced attorneys are ready to help. Our legal team serves victims in the Chicago area and throughout Illinois. Contact us without delay so we can investigate your case and, if we determine the case is actionable, get to work right away to hold those responsible accountable and to help your loved on recover the compensation they are entitled to. You can count on our experienced legal team to fight aggressively on behalf of your loved one.
