Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Rates of abuse of older people are high in institutions such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with 2 in 3 staff reporting that they have committed abuse in the past year. If your loved one has been hurt, neglected, or mistreated in a long-term care facility, you deserve answers and help right away. 

Our team at IllinoisLawyers.com has been connecting families with the best nursing home abuse lawyers across Illinois since 2001. We provide you with free, confidential advice and direct you to the right attorney for your specific situation. Get connected to the right nursing home abuse lawyers today.

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home malpractice is any intentional act or negligence committed by a nursing home professional that has the potential to cause physical, mental, or psychosocial harm to nursing home residents. Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including:

• Physical abuse: hitting, rough handling, or improper restraints
  
  
• Neglect: ignoring basic needs like food, hydration, hygiene, or medical care
  
  
• Emotional abuse: yelling, threats, intimidation, or isolating a resident
  
  
• Sexual abuse: any non-consensual sexual contact, often by staff or other residents
  
  
• Financial exploitation: stealing money, valuables, or misusing accounts

When neglect or abuse leads to real injuries, it may be grounds for legal action with the help of experienced nursing home abuse lawyers Chicago families rely on.

Abuse in Other Care Facilities

Abuse and neglect aren’t limited to nursing homes. They also occur in:

• Assisted living facilities: falls, poor supervision, and medication mistakes
  
  
• Memory care units: vulnerable dementia patients are neglected or mistreated
  
  
• Rehab centers: infections, bedsores, and inadequate medical care
  
  
• Group homes & adult day care: emotional, financial, or physical abuse

If you or a family member is experiencing something similar, call us now at (312) 346-5320 for free advice from Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers.

Why Do Nursing Home Abuse Cases Happen?

In Illinois, federal and state laws, such as the Nursing Home Care Act, regulate most nursing home facilities. This act sets forth the minimum standards to protect those who reside in these facilities. The Illinois Department of Public Health is responsible for licensing, certification, and enforcement processes involved in nursing home care.

Despite the many state and federal regulations, nursing home abuse continues to occur due to factors like understaffing, poor training, caregiver burnout, lack of oversight, cost-cutting, and the vulnerability of residents who are unable to protect themselves.

That’s why we hear so many heartbreaking stories about:

• Residents were left sitting in their own waste because no one helped them
  
  
• Bedsores are turning into life-threatening infections
  
  
• Falls caused by a lack of supervision
  
  
• Staff overmedicating patients to keep them quiet
  
  
• Sexual abuse cases that never should have happened

Most caregivers do their jobs with compassion. But when they don’t, and someone gets hurt, it’s time to talk with nursing home abuse lawyers Chicago families have trusted for decades. 

What are Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers?

Nursing home abuse lawyers specialize in representing residents or their families who have suffered harm due to abuse or neglect in a nursing home or long-term care facility. They help victims seek compensation for their injuries and suffering. Lawyers for nursing home abuse investigate cases of physical, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as neglect, like improper medical care or failure to prevent injuries.

At IllinoisLawyers.com, our referral service matches you with top nursing home abuse lawyers near you.

Do I Need Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers?

Contact nursing home abuse lawyers today if you see any of the following red flags:

• Bedsores or pressure sores
  
  
• Infections or unexplained illness
  
  
• Sudden weight loss or signs of dehydration
  
  
• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
  
  
• Restraint marks on wrists or ankles
  
  
• Poor hygiene or soiled clothing/bedding
  
  
• Sudden emotional changes, withdrawal, or fear of staff
  
  
• Any signs of sexual abuse (bruising, fear of being touched, changes in behavior)

Immediately call Illinois or Chicago nursing home sexual abuse lawyers if you witness the above and begin gathering medical records, photos, documentation of injuries, witness statements, and financial records. 

How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois

If you suspect abuse or neglect, taking immediate action is critical to protect your loved one and preserve evidence. Here are the main steps:

• Call 911 if the resident is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical care.
  
  
• Report to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH): Call their Nursing Home Complaint Hotline at 800-252-4343 to file an official report.
  
  
• Contact the Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Ombudsmen advocate for residents and can help investigate complaints confidentially.
  
  
• Speak with experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers: We advise and support you during the whole process.

What Do Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Do?

Skilled Illinois and Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers will:

• Investigate what happened and gather evidence
  
  
• Prove negligence or intentional harm
  
  
• File a lawsuit on your behalf
  
  
• Pursue recoverable damages

What are Recoverable Damages?

Victims of nursing home abuse in Illinois may recover three main types of damages with the help of experienced Illinois or Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers:

• Economic Damages (Tangible financial losses): medical treatment and rehabilitation costs, medication expenses, and future medical care
  
  
• Non-Economic Damages (Intangible losses): pain and suffering, emotional distress and psychological trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship or consortium
  
  
• Punitive Damages (additional financial awards, beyond typical compensation): designed to punish the facility for egregious misconduct and deter similar actions in the future.

When to Contact Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

It’s crucial to contact a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as you suspect neglect or abuse of a resident. Prompt action is essential due to the statute of limitations, which sets a deadline for filing lawsuits.  In Illinois, the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse and neglect cases is two years. 

This means that a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date the injury occurred or was discovered. Waiting too long could mean losing the right to pursue legal action. 

How Our Illinois Lawyer Referral Service Helps

You don’t have to figure this out alone. At our law firm, we run an Illinois lawyer referral service that is 100% free and confidential. You tell us your situation, and we connect you with attorneys or lawyers for nursing home abuse who have a proven record of handling these cases.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Free consultation by phone or email—no strings attached
  
  
• Honest advice (the same we’d give our family)
  
  
• A referral to Illinois or Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers in your area who actually specialize in these cases
  
  
• Guidance on whether you may have a case worth pursuing

We also act as an Illinois attorney referral service for other personal injury cases.

Get Justice with the Right Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

If your loved one has suffered from abuse, neglect, or mistreatment in a nursing home, assisted living, or rehab facility, don’t wait. Contact Illinois Lawyers today at (312) 346-5320 or (800) 517-1614 or fill out our quick contact form for free, confidential advice and a free Illinois attorney referral service to top nursing home abuse lawyers in Illinois. 

We’ll give you the honest guidance we’d give our own family—and point you to the right attorney to fight for justice.

FAQs About Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Here are some frequently asked questions about nursing home abuse.

How much does it cost to hire a nursing home abuse lawyer?

Most nursing home abuse lawyers work on a contingency basis. That means no upfront fees—you only pay if they win your case.

How much can I sue for nursing home abuse?

The amount depends on the severity of harm, medical costs, emotional suffering, and the impact on the person’s life expectancy.

How long will my case take?

Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers handle cases that may take several months to a few years, depending on complexity, evidence, and whether a settlement is reached or trial is required.

Can I sue for sexual abuse in a nursing home?

Yes. If your loved one has been sexually abused, you need to act quickly. We can connect you with Chicago nursing home sexual abuse lawyers who handle these cases with sensitivity and experience.