Placing a loved one in a nursing home is one of the most difficult decisions that people have to make. Finding a home that meets your standards can make the process even more stressful.
Even after due diligence, you can sometimes end up with a nursing home that ends up not providing quality treatment and care.
In cases where your loved one is not receiving the necessary care or is being abused, it’s imperative to retain an Illinois nursing home abuse attorney right away.
At VanDerGinst Law, we have experience in nursing home abuse cases and work tirelessly to hold long-term care facilities, like nursing homes, rehab facilities, and assisted living communities, liable when they mistreat a patient.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse doesn’t just mean physically abusing a patient. Abuse can encompass many things, including neglect, which can cause long-term injuries and/or death.
Physical neglect can be positioning the body wrong or not bathing or allowing a patient proper toilet facilities.
Medical neglect is when there is poor access to medical aid or lack of care.
There is also something called a lack of assistance, which is not helping the patient eat, drink, etc.
Some of the most common issues that arise in a nursing home setting include:
- Sepsis
- Sexual abuse
- Bed Sores
- Excessive restraints
- Fractures
- Infections
- Dehydration
- Slip and falls
- Malnutrition
- Burns
- Lack of care
- Breathing tube injuries
- Wandering off
- Financial exploitation
- Emotional trauma
Common Causes of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
Actions, or inactions, are what lead to nursing home abuse and neglect. Some of the more common causes are:
- Lack of proper staff training — The staff at a nursing home need to be trained on how to respond to a variety of situations, including medical emergencies. If there is not proper training, they may not be able to meet the needs of patients or residents.
- Nursing home is understaffed — It’s not uncommon to have a nursing home that is lacking the proper number of staff members to deal with all the patients. When this happens, some patients may wind up being neglected.
- Deliberate abuse — Some staff may inflict physical or emotional abuse on a patient because they are older and may be sick, leaving them more vulnerable. Abuse can also be financial when a staff member attempts to steal the patient’s money or coerce them to sign over assets in their will.
Damages Recoverable in Illinois Nursing Home Abuse
If you pursue a nursing home abuse case, you or your loved one may be eligible to recover a variety of damages. Some of these can include:
- Medical expenses: Recoverable medical expenses can be all healthcare-related costs that can be attributed to neglect or abuse.
- Pain and suffering: This is the emotional pain and suffering that the physical injuries bring about, and can often be the most significant impact of the injury.
- Out-of-pocket costs: There may be out of pocket costs, like funeral expenses if the patient dies from the abuse or neglect, moving costs if you have to move your loved one, etc.
Contact an Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
If you believe a loved one is being neglected or abused in a long-term care facility, you need to contact an attorney right away.
We have knowledgeable and experienced attorneys who can help guide you through the complexities of your case and help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve.
The consultation is free and there is never a fee unless we win.
Call VanDerGinst Law at 800-797-5391.
The law is tough, being injured is tougher. We’ll make it easier for you.
The information contained on this website is presented by VanDerGinst Law P.C. It is not intended nor should it be construed as professional legal advice. The information is general in nature about the Firm, the scope of services we offer, and our community outreach, it is not legal advice. Please contact us by phone, email, mail, or via this website for inquiries. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation regarding your situation. This website is not intended to solicit clients outside the State of Iowa and/or the State of Illinois.