Nursing Home Abuse
Personal Injury Attorneys Assisting Elderly Schaumburg and Wheaton Residents
Deciding to send a loved one to a nursing home is not an easy choice. When you do make this difficult decision, you expect your loved one to be treated properly. Unfortunately, many nursing home residents are injured in Illinois as a result of neglect or abuse. If your loved one has been hurt at a nursing home facility, you should promptly consult an injury attorney who can advise you on your options. At Therman Law Offices, our Wheaton and Schaumburg nursing home abuse lawyers are familiar with the laws protecting nursing home residents, and we can diligently seek to hold these facilities accountable for the harm that they cause.
Holding a Facility Accountable for Nursing Home Negligence or Abuse
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, there were approximately 1.4 million residents in nursing homes throughout the country in 2011. The American Association of Justice reports that only one in 14 nursing home abuse cases are reported to the proper authorities, and over 90 percent of nursing homes do not have enough staff to look after their residents properly. In Illinois, the Central Complaint Registry reveals that there are thousands of complaints each year.
When your loved one is in the care of a nursing home facility, you should keep an eye out for signs of neglect or abuse. Some of these signs may include:
- Sudden weight gain or weight loss;
- Physical scars or injuries;
- Bruises or cuts;
- Bedsores;
- Complaints of verbal abuse;
- Missed medication;
- Sudden changes in medication;
- Constant anxiety or fear;
- Broken bones or fractures; or
- Depression.
A number of Illinois laws govern nursing home standards and the level of care that patients should receive in these types of facilities. Under the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, for instance, neglect is defined as a failure to provide a nursing home resident with the necessities of life. These necessities include food, clothing, shelter, health care, and more. If an employee suspects nursing home abuse or neglect, they must legally report the suspected issue.
The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act outlines the rights of nursing home residents. These rights include the right to be free from abuse and neglect, the right to manage your own financial affairs, the right to unimpeded private visits and communications, the right to your own physician and to make medical decisions, and the right to be treated with respect and privacy. When any of these rights has been violated, a resident may be entitled to recover compensation from the owner or licensee of the nursing home for the harm suffered. Our nursing home abuse attorneys can advise Schaumburg and Wheaton residents on whether they may have a claim.
There are certain parties who may file a negligence lawsuit against a nursing home. In Illinois, a nursing home resident whose rights were violated may file a claim against the nursing home facility in civil court. In cases in which the resident cannot act on their own behalf, an authorized representative of the resident may be able to file the claim on their behalf. The authorized representative may be a close family member, a friend, or someone appointed by the court.
Lawsuits against nursing homes are time-sensitive and must be filed within a specific time frame, known as the statute of limitations. As a result, it is important to work with a lawyer who will be vigilant about deadlines in your case.
Discuss Your Options with a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Schaumburg or Wheaton
If your loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a nursing home’s error, carelessness, or abuse, it is important to reach out to a seasoned personal injury lawyer or wrongful death attorney who can assess the merits of your case. At Therman Law Offices, we are committed to advocating for victims’ rights throughout the entire legal process. Our Wheaton and Schaumburg nursing home abuse attorneys take pride in keeping an open line of communication with clients, and we are here to answer your questions from start to finish. We also represent injured people in Mt. Prospect, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Elgin, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Bensenville, Wood Dale, and Bloomingdale, among other cities in Cook County and beyond. For more information or a free consultation, do not hesitate to call us at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.
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