Abuse and neglect of nursing home residents is a serious problem across the United States. Unfortunately, many victims do not receive the justice they deserve.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident & Injury Lawyers is committed to holding negligent nursing home facilities accountable for their actions. We represent victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in South Shore and the Chicago area.
The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45/) is the main law that governs Illinois nursing homes. The Act establishes minimum standards of care for Illinois nursing home residents and residents of assisted living facilities, setting forth the rights of elderly residents.
The Act requires nursing homes in Illinois including the South Shore neighborhood and throughout Cook County, Lake County, Kane County, and DuPage County to provide residents with a safe and clean environment, adequate nutrition and hydration, access to medical care, protection from mental and physical abuse, and more.
If a nursing home fails to meet these standards, or is slow to take action in reply to complaints highlighting the resident’s neglect, you may have a claim for damages against the facility or nursing home staff members.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
There are many different types of abuse that can occur in a nursing home setting. Examples of abuse include, but are not limited to:
Physical Abuse
This type of abuse includes any type of physical violence, such as hitting, shoving, or kicking.
Sexual Abuse
This type of abuse includes any type of sexual contact with a resident without his or her consent.
Mental Abuse
This type of abuse includes any type of verbal abuse or nonverbal mistreatment, such as name-calling, intimidation, or other emotional abuse.
Financial Abuse
This type of abuse includes any type of financial exploitation, such as theft or fraud or attempts to have the resident hand over control of own financial affairs.
Neglect
This type of abuse includes any type of failure to provide adequate care, such as failing to provide proper medical care or failing to meet a resident’s basic needs. Repeated medication errors may also be a sign of elder neglect if the nursing facilities have failed to act on previous mistakes. Out of date, or incomplete medical records may also be a sing of neglect by nursing home staff.
Signs of Abuse and Neglect
There are many signs that may indicate that your loved one is being abused or neglected. These signs can be difficult to spot, or easily attributed to other causes, they include but are not limited to:
Bruises, cuts, or welts
Broken bones or fractures
Untreated medical conditions
Sudden weight loss
Dehydration or malnutrition
Bed sores
Dirty clothing or bedding
Anxiety or depression
Sudden lack in enthusiasm for usual interests
Withdrawal from social activities
Isolation from family members or friends
Unexplained fearfulness
Are bed sores elder abuse?
Bed sores are not always a sign of abuse or neglect. However, if a nursing home resident has bed sores, it is important to investigate the cause. Bed sores can be caused by many factors, including but not limited to:
Inadequate nutrition
Inadequate hydration
Impaired mobility
Poor hygiene
Use of restraints
There can be legitimate reasons why a person may develop bed sores that are not examples of abuse or neglect. A resident may be recovering from illness that impaired their mobility or they may have decided to refuse medical treatment. However, bed sores can also be signs of a pattern of neglect or abuse by the nursing home staff in a nursing facility if they are not taking proper care to prevent and treat their cause.
What to do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
If you suspect abuse of a Chicago nursing home resident, or that they are being neglected, it is important to report your concerns to the proper authorities. In Illinois, you should first contact the nursing home administrator and file a complaint.
You can also contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at (800) 252-4343 to file a health care complaint at nursing homes.
If you believe that the resident is in immediate danger of suffering serious injuries, you should contact the police.
Get Help from an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
If you suspect a loved one has suffered neglect or abuse in a nursing home facility, contact our law firm today. A Chicago nursing home abuse attorney will provide a free case evaluation and advise whether you have a valid personal injury case and what the next steps will be. Our legal team can help you with your nursing home abuse lawsuit, or in the worst case scenario, help file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Do I have a case?
Many residents at nursing homes are abused or neglected each year in the United States. Unfortunately, many cases of nursing home neglect and abuse go unreported. If you suspect that your loved one has suffered abuse or is being neglected in a Chicago nursing home, it is important to take action to protect their dignity, seek justice, and to prevent the abuse happening again.
To determine if you have a case, speak with an experienced Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer. At The Kryder Law Group, LLC, our law firm offers a free, no obligation consultation to help you understand your legal rights and options. Call us today for a free consultation.
What is my case worth?
The value of your case will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:
The severity of the resident’s injuries
The cost of past and future medical care
The resident’s pain and suffering
The resident’s loss of enjoyment of life
Whether the staff knew or should have known about the abuse or neglect
If the nursing home negligence extended up to management failure to record or act on complaints
Whether the nursing home has a history of abuse or neglect
To get a better idea of the potential value of your case, you should speak with an experienced nursing home abuse case lawyer. During this consultation, the lawyer will review the facts of your case and advise you on your legal options, as well as how to collect evidence of physical injuries. The lawyer will also help you understand the compensation you may be entitled to seek.
Ready to Help
At The Kryder Law Group LLC, our experienced Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers can help. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that nursing home abuse can take on victims and family members in South Shore. We will fight to hold the responsible parties accountable, support you and your family member through the entire process and get you the compensation you deserve.
We serve clients in South Shore and throughout Illinois advising them on nursing home abuse cases where the facility resident have suffered injuries.
(312) 223-1700