Every resident in an Illinois nursing facility is at risk of being abused, mistreated, or neglected. Without the immediate intervention of family members, friends, or other staff members, the victim could suffer serious injuries or death
Is your loved one a victim of nursing home abuse? The affiliate Illinois personal injury attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center, LLC are legal advocates who fight for residents' rights and provide matchless legal services.
Contact our Bloomington nursing home abuse lawyers at (800) 926-7565 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship policy of our law firm.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?Nursing home abuse is defined as any mistreatment that causes harm of injury to a resident. Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. Neglect is also considered abuse since it can lead to serious injuries and even death.
Nursing home abuse is shockingly common. WHO (World Health Organization) data shows that two out of three staff members admit to abusing elderly residents. The elderly are highly susceptible to abuse because they:
Nursing home residents may experience different types of abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and neglect.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse in a nursing home setting is any type of force that results in injury to a resident. It includes hitting, shoving, kicking, punching, biting, burning, or harming a resident.
Force can also be used to restrain a resident against their will. For example, if a staff member ties a resident to their bed or wheelchair without proper authorization, this is considered physical abuse.
Physical abuse also includes giving residents medication that is not prescribed for them or withholding necessary medicines.
Some physical signs of abuse are:
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is any type of verbal or nonverbal attack on a nursing home resident that causes psychological harm. It includes:
Some common signs of psychological abuse are:
Sexual Abuse
Senior citizens in nursing homes also experience sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the victim's consent. It includes:
Here are some common signs that a resident may have been sexually abused:
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is when someone illegally or improperly uses a nursing home resident's money or property. It includes:
Family members may notice the following if their loved one in a nursing home is being financially exploited:
Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect means the staff is not providing proper treatment to the resident. Besides substandard care, nursing home neglect also includes:
Here are some signs that may indicate a nursing home resident is being neglected:
Medical Malpractice
Although medical malpractice is a separate issue from elder abuse, it can still occur in nursing homes. Medical malpractice is when a healthcare professional provides subpar care that results in injury or death to the patient. It can include:
Any assisted living facility or nursing facility resident may be susceptible to abuse or mistreatment. However, certain residents may be more likely to be abused than others. These include residents:
A nursing home is supposed to be a safe environment for your elderly loved one to spend time in while you cannot be with them or provide the care they need. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Nursing home abuse is a problem that affects far too many people every year, resulting in injuries and even death.
Here are some reasons that may cause this otherwise safe environment to become abusive:
Abuse in nursing homes can be prevented by taking specific measures. First, it's essential to train the staff properly about disease control, elder care, infection prevention, and proper lifting techniques. The staff should get regular check-ups and be up-to-date on their vaccinations.
Second, make sure that there are enough staff members on duty to provide adequate care. If the nursing facility is understaffed, it's more likely that abuse and neglect will occur.
Supervisors or administrators should conduct regular inspections of the facility and its residents. They should ensure the residents are being cared for properly. They should also create a zero-tolerance policy for any type of abuse or neglect.
Plus, they must encourage family and friends to visit often and report any concerns they have about the care their loved one is receiving. Unfortunately, many families are reluctant to speak up. Thus, the nursing home administration needs to provide a safe and welcoming environment for them to do so.
How to Report Abuse Suffered by Nursing Home ResidentsIf you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you should report it immediately. Unfortunately, many nursing home abuse cases go unreported, which means most residents don't get the justice they deserve.
When you speak up for yourself or your loved one, you don't only do them a favor but also protect other residents from abuse in nursing homes. Here's what you should do:
Report to the Administration
First off, report the abuse to the nursing home administrator. If they have a process for handling such complaints, follow it. Unfortunately, some nursing home administrators may downplay or ignore your concerns.
If that happens, don't give up. Instead, you should take your complaint to the next level by contacting the state's long-term care ombudsman.
Contact the State's Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The ombudsman is a state official who advocates for nursing home residents. They can help you file a complaint and investigate the abuse allegations.
For instance, you can consult the Illinois Department of Public Health to find the ombudsman in your state. The Illinois Department of Public Health is responsible for investigating complaints about nursing homes in the state.
You can also visit the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center to find your state's ombudsman program contact information.
Contact the Police
In some cases, abuse in nursing homes can delve into the category of crime. Some examples include sexual assault and financial exploitation. You should contact the police and report the incident immediately.
File a Lawsuit
You can also file a lawsuit against the nursing home. It is usually a last resort, but it's an option if you feel like you've tried everything else and you're not getting anywhere.
A Bloomington nursing home abuse lawyer can help you file a lawsuit and get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with our Bloomington nursing home abuse lawyer today to discuss your case.
How Can a Bloomington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help?If you see any unexplained injuries or other signs of abuse on your elderly loved one, you should immediately bring the matter to the nursing facility's administration. Abuse, if ignored for too long, can become life-threatening.
It is best to pursue justice by working with a nursing home abuse attorney. A nursing home lawyer can help you in the following ways:
Make Sense of the Legal Process
Although the Illinois Department of Public Health and other state authorities have many regulations for protecting nursing home residents, the process for filing a complaint and taking legal action can be confusing.
A lawyer can help you understand your options and work with authorities to get your loved one the protection they deserve.
Gather Evidence
To win an abuse case, you will need to prove that the abuse occurred and that the nursing home or its employees are responsible. A personal injury lawyer can help you gather evidence, including eyewitness testimony, photographs, and medical records.
Get Compensation for Your Loved One
If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, they may be entitled to compensation. It can include money for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
The nursing facility may also be required to pay non-economic damages, such as:
A nursing home lawyer can help you understand what types of compensation you may be entitled to and fight for the full amount you deserve.
File for Wrongful Death
If you lost your family member due to nursing home abuse, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. A nursing home lawyer can help you understand your legal options and take the necessary steps to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Hiring a Lawyer to Prosecute a Bloomington Pressure Sore LawsuitThe Bloomington nursing home abuse attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center, LLC specialize in cases involving resident mistreatment. We carefully evaluate every circumstance involved in our client’s case and will provide various legal options after an initial consultation.
Our attorneys make every effort possible to ensure that your loved one receives the proper care and attention. If our network of attorneys determines negligence or mistreatment was involved, we fight aggressively to ensure that you and your loved one receive the fair and just compensation you deserve.
Contact our Bloomington, IL law offices today at (800) 926-7565 or use the contact form to schedule a free case evaluation. Every bedsore nursing home abuse case we accept is handled through contingency fee arrangements. This agreement ensures you and your loved one receive immediate legal representation without any upfront payment.
Resources: