The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that around 1 in 10 Americans 60 years or older have experienced some form of abuse. From 2002 to 2016, more than 643,000 elderly adults received treatment in the emergency room for nursing home injuries. Sadly, a number of factors make it difficult to assess the extent of the problem. Residents may be afraid to bring attention to mistreatment or suffer from medical conditions that make it hard to communicate abuse.
At the Law Offices of David H. Brinton, LLC, nursing home abuse and neglect claims are one of our core practice areas. With extensive experience handling these cases and in-depth knowledge of Illinois laws, we are ready to assist your family with all legal remedies. Please contact our firm to learn more about holding an assisted living facility accountable for misconduct. We can schedule a no-cost case evaluation with a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer who will provide details. Some background information may also be useful.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
The relationship between a resident and caregivers is one built on trust, and the duty of assisted living centers with respect to residents is two-fold. First, Illinois laws require nursing homes to provide quality care; second, there is usually a contract that requires the facility to provide services in accordance with the agreement. Nursing home abuse takes many different forms including:
- Physical Abuse: This mistreatment is intentional and may include hitting, slapping, punching, or kicking the victim. Sexual assault and contact are also types of physical abuse, as is use of physical restraints in some situations.
- Emotional Abuse: Caregivers may inflict distress, anguish, fear, and mental suffering through verbal and nonverbal behaviors. Examples include making threats, harassment, humiliation, and physically isolating the resident.
- Neglect: While not intentional conduct, injuries to nursing home residents can also stem from carelessness. An assisted living facility may breach the standard of care by not supplying food, water, a safe environment, personal assistance, hygiene, and medical support.
- Financial Exploitation: This misconduct includes unlawful, unauthorized use of an elderly person’s real estate, personal property, and other assets to benefit someone else.
Spot the Signs of Nursing Home Misconduct
The nature of nursing home abuse and neglect cases means family members and other loved ones must be the resident’s voice. Whether it is fear, memory loss, a medical condition, or other factors that prevent the resident from speaking up, you may be in the position to take action. Doing so requires you to recognize and identify the signs that your loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse, such as:
- Unexplained injuries, including bruises, bone fractures, lacerations, abrasions, and pressure ulcers;
- Urinary tract infection or sexually transmitted diseases;
- Ligature marks around the ankles and wrists, an indication that the nursing home used physical restraints; and
- Unusual behavior by the resident, including withdrawing, becoming nonverbal, rocking, and angry outbursts.
The signs of neglect may also be visible, especially by assessing the condition of the resident and the facility. You should be concerned if you observe filth, grime, unlocked doors, unsecure gates, dirty linens, issues with personal hygiene, and other indications of carelessness.
Legal Remedies for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
These cases are covered by Illinois personal injury laws, so you can pursue the assisted living facility for compensation. Our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers at the Law Offices of David H. Brinton, LLC will assist with the legal process, including such tasks as:
- Collecting evidence to prove misconduct;
- Completing all forms to file a claim with the nursing home’s insurance company;
- Negotiating settlement with the insurer; and
- Filing a lawsuit in court if the insurance company refuses to pay fair compensation.
It is our goal to ensure you recover full compensation for your nursing home abuse claim, including medical costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In extreme cases, it may be possible to seek punitive damages, which are intended to punish the facility for misconduct.
A Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Will Advise You on the Process
If you have concerns about a loved one being mistreated at an Illinois assisted living facility, please contact the Law Offices of David H. Brinton, LLC right away. You can call 312.445.4908 or contact us to set up your free consultation. Once we learn more about your situation, we can discuss strategies.
Uncovering Nursing Home Abuse Cases in Chicago, IL
Nursing home abuse is an alarming reality that affects many elderly individuals across the country. Unfortunately, it is something that happens all too often, particularly in big cities like Chicago, Illinois. Recently, there have been multiple reports of nursing home abuse cases in the city of Chicago. We’ll take a closer look at these cases to better understand what’s going on.
Nursing Home Abuse Allegations in Chicago
According to recent reports, there are numerous allegations of physical and sexual abuse against elderly residents at nursing homes throughout the city. A number of lawsuits and investigations have been launched over the past year or so as a result of these allegations, with some shocking results. In one case, a former nurse was convicted of assaulting an elderly resident who later died from her injuries; yet another case is currently being investigated by federal authorities after several residents complained about being mistreated by staff members.
The Impact on Victims and their Families
These cases are not only shocking but also heartbreaking for victims and their families. The elderly residents who have suffered abuse at the hands of their caregivers often feel betrayed by those they trusted most to provide them with quality care. For their families, it can be difficult to come to terms with the fact that their loved ones were subjected to such terrible treatment while under someone else’s care. It’s even more difficult when it seems like no real justice has been served; many abusers go unpunished due to lack of evidence or inadequate law enforcement oversight.
Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that requires urgent attention from authorities and lawmakers alike. The recent cases in Chicago highlight just how prevalent this problem really is—and how much work needs to be done in order to protect our most vulnerable citizens from such egregious acts of violence and neglect. Until then, we must continue to raise awareness about this issue and push for meaningful change that will ensure that those responsible for nursing home abuse are held accountable for their actions. Only then can we begin to bring justice to victims and their families who have suffered greatly as a result of such horrific events.
How can a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer help when you suspect your loved one may be experiencing abuse in a nursing home?
If you suspect your loved one is being abused in a nursing home, an attorney can help protect them and ensure they receive justice. A lawyer can investigate the situation, collect evidence, file lawsuits against the responsible parties, and negotiate with insurance companies to secure compensation for any medical expenses or pain and suffering endured by your loved one. In some cases, an attorney may even be able to hold the abusers criminally responsible for their actions. In any case, a lawyer can provide important legal guidance and protect your loved one’s rights during this difficult time.
By seeking the help of an experienced attorney, you can help put a stop to nursing home abuse and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. It is important that we all take a stand to protect our elderly loved ones and help ensure they are living in an environment of safety and respect.
Thank you for reading this article about nursing home abuse in Chicago. If you or someone you love has been affected by nursing home abuse, contact an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer right away. It is important that we all do our part to protect our elderly loved ones and help ensure they are living in a safe and respectful environment.
Please contact the Law Offices of David H. Brinton, LLC. You can call 312.445.4908 or contact us to set up your free consultation.