Ten Things to Know About Illinois Nursing Home Abuse

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1. Nursing Home Abuse Is a Form of Malpractice
   Nursing home abuse occurs when a staff member negligently or intentionally harms a resident or fails to provide the care required, resulting in physical, emotional, or psychological harm. This kind of abuse is a type of malpractice under Illinois law. But not all medical malpractice lawyers handle these cases. There are a handful of law firms that have a track record of suing nursing homes and rehab centers for these injuries. It’s much more niche than finding a great lawyer to sue a hospital.
2. There Are Laws Designed to Protect Residents
   In Illinois, both federal and state laws, including the Nursing Home Care Act, exist to protect residents in nursing facilities. These laws outline minimum care standards and give residents important rights.
3. Getting Injured Isn’t Enough
   You still have to prove negligence or an intentional act. Sometimes that is obvious such as a stage four bed sore or severe hydration. Other times it can be harder to prove if there are no witnesses and your loved one can’t speak for themselves. For example, if they are found on the floor with a broken hip, it could be a case or it could be that they decided to walk on their own and fell.
4. Physical abuse Still Happens—Often
   Despite the laws in place, serious violations still occur daily.  Some care home workers do not have the temperament or compassion needed for their jobs. These incidents can jeopardize the safety and dignity of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
5. Warning Signs of Abuse Shouldn’t Be Ignored
   Common indicators of abuse include bedsores, dehydration, infections, malnutrition, bruises, medication errors, unexplained injuries, or signs of restraint. In the most serious cases, residents may suffer brain injuries, broken bones, or sexual assault.
6. There Must Be an Actual Injury to Have a Case
   Bad service or neglect without harm isn’t usually enough for a lawsuit. For example, if a resident’s call button is ignored but they suffer no injury, that is likely not a case. If there is an injury, though, you should contact a lawyer immediately.
7. Evidence Disappears Quickly in These Cases
   Because staff members change shifts and residents may be moved, it’s crucial to gather evidence as soon as possible. A nursing home abuse attorney can help collect records, speak to witnesses, and preserve key facts.
8. The Attorneys We Recommend Work on Contingency
   The experienced nursing home abuse lawyers that we refer cases to don’t charge anything upfront. They only get paid if they recover money for you. If any nursing home attorneys asks you to give them money that is a red flag.
9. Some Nursing Home Facilities Cut Corners
   While many nursing homes provide excellent care, some are understaffed or hire poorly trained workers. As a result, residents are sometimes left alone, ignored, or left in unsafe conditions—all of which can lead to serious harm or even death.
10. Time is of the Essence
    If you suspect abuse, don’t wait. Speak with an Illinois nursing home abuse attorney to find out your options and protect your loved one’s rights. In most cases a lawsuit has to be filed within two years of when something occurs. But note that it takes months to properly investigate a claim. If you wait until the last minute, finding a good attorney will be very difficult.

We have a lot of experience helping people with these very serious cases. We can’t promise a result, but do promise to treat you like a family member or friend. Please reach out any time to speak with a lawyer for free.