Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit Settlements

Many families begin their search for answers by looking into Illinois nursing home abuse lawsuit settlements after discovering a loved one has been harmed in a care facility. At Nursing Home Law Center, we represent families throughout Illinois who are dealing with the fallout of nursing home abuse, neglect, or wrongful death.

We’ve helped families in Cook County and across Illinois take legal action after discovering their loved ones have been mistreated. We understand the emotional pain these situations cause, and we are here to provide support through every step of the legal process.

Nursing Home Settlement Amounts Recovered by Our Law Firm

With decades of experience representing victims and families across the state, our team of Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers has successfully handled a wide range of cases involving abuse, neglect, and wrongful death in long-term care facilities.

$12,800,000 Verdict – Untreated Bedsores and Wrongful Death

Walter, 76, was admitted to a Cook County nursing home after a hospitalization. Despite being flagged as high-risk, staff failed to reposition him or treat developing pressure sores. He developed Stage IV ulcers that became infected, leading to fatal sepsis.

The Illinois Department of Public Health had previously cited the facility for similar care failures. The jury awarded $12.8 million, citing long-term neglect, inadequate staffing, and the facility’s repeated violations of basic care standards.

$1,500,000 Settlement – Chemical Ingestion in Memory Care Unit

Lila, 83, had advanced dementia and was a resident at a Will County memory care facility. One afternoon, she wandered into an unsecured janitor’s closet and ingested a toxic cleaning chemical. The closet’s broken latch had gone unrepaired for weeks.

IDPH investigators found multiple supervision failures and cited the facility for unsafe conditions. Her family received a $1.5 million nursing home neglect settlement due to the preventable nature of her death and the lack of oversight in a locked unit.

$710,200 Settlement – Sexual Abuse by Unscreened Staff Member in Nursing Home

Margaret, 84, a resident with Alzheimer’s, was sexually abused by a staff member at a Chicago nursing home. Her family later learned the employee had a criminal history and had not been adequately vetted. A lawsuit alleged the facility was negligent in hiring and supervision.

IDPH and Adult Protective Services investigated and cited the home for regulatory failures. The case settled for $710,200, reflecting the severe emotional and systemic harm caused by the abuse.

What Types of Financial Compensation Can Be Recovered Through Nursing Home Abuse Settlements?

When a nursing home fails to provide adequate care, the consequences can be both devastating and costly. Through nursing home abuse settlements, victims and their families may be entitled to financial compensation that addresses the full scope of harm caused.

Medical Expenses

Victims of nursing home abuse often require extensive medical treatment, including hospitalization, wound care, rehabilitation, and long-term support. Nursing home lawsuit settlements may cover both past and future medical expenses related to the abuse or neglect, ensuring families aren’t burdened with costs caused by the facility’s failure to provide proper care.

Emotional Distress

Abuse or neglect in a nursing home can lead to lasting psychological harm. Residents may experience fear, anxiety, depression, or trauma. Nursing home abuse settlements often include compensation for the emotional toll on both the victim and their family, acknowledging the profound and lasting impact of the mistreatment.

Relocation Costs

When a nursing home has failed a resident, families are often forced to move their loved one to a safer facility. Relocation costs—including transportation, admission fees, and interim care expenses—may be included in a nursing home lawsuit settlement to help cover the financial strain caused by finding appropriate alternative care.

What Is the Average Nursing Home Neglect Settlement in Illinois?

According to Law.com’s VerdictSearch, in Illinois, the average nursing home neglect settlement is approximately $1,160,251, with reported case values ranging from $100,000 to $6,500,000.

Nursing home settlement amounts vary depending on several factors, including:

• The severity and type of injury (e.g., severe bedsores, broken bones, emotional distress, or fatality)
• Whether the facility had prior violations documented by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
• The strength of the evidence, including medical records, police reports, and witness testimony
• The long-term impact on the resident’s health, independence, or life expectancy
• Whether the case settles out of court or proceeds to trial, where verdicts can result in significantly larger awards

Skilled legal representation often makes the difference between a minimal offer and a fair settlement that genuinely reflects the harm done.

Example Nursing Home Negligence Settlements and Verdicts

$6.5 Million Settlement – Fatal Cardiac Arrest Following Drug Interaction at University Hospital

Ama Thomas, 31, suffered a cardiac arrest and an anoxic brain injury after receiving Haldol and gatifloxacin at a University of Chicago Hospital facility. She died two years later. Her husband, Phillip, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Chicago, alleging negligent monitoring and emergency response.

The hospital denied liability but agreed to a $6.5 million nursing abuse settlement. The estate, her husband, and their four children received over $4.7 million after attorney fees and liens were satisfied.

$4.1 Million Verdict – Stroke Caused by Improper Medication Management in Nursing Home

Dolores Trendel, 89, suffered a disabling stroke after staff at Assisi at Clare Oaks in Bartlett allegedly stopped administering her prescribed Coumadin. Her family claimed the facility failed to follow medication policies or alert her physician.

She died four years later after a decline in health. A jury found the nursing home liable and awarded $4.1 million for medical malpractice. The attending physician, Dr. Bigol, was cleared of negligence.

$2.77 Million Verdict – Fatal Fall Due to Lack of Supervision in Memory Care Unit

Willie Green, 66, who had dementia and syncope, fell and suffered a fatal traumatic brain injury at Southpoint Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. His estate alleged the facility failed to implement proper fall precautions, despite known gait instability.

The jury awarded $2,777,000.92, including compensation for pain and suffering, medical costs, disability, reduced resident life expectancy, and wrongful death damages for grief and loss of companionship. The nursing director was also found liable on the verdict sheet.

$1,011,864 Verdict – Hip Fracture and Infection After Fall at Alden Creek Nursing Center

Linda Zahn, 68, suffered a fractured hip after falling while being transferred to a shower at Alden Creek Nursing Center in Chicago. Her family alleged that staff failed to use proper lift equipment and allowed her surgical wound to become contaminated, leading to infection and chronic pain.

Although Alden denied negligence, a directed verdict was entered for the estate on liability. A jury awarded $1,011,864 for medical expenses, pain, disfigurement, loss of normal life, and emotional distress.

$875,000 Settlement – Fatal Choking Incident at Center Home for Hispanic Elderly

Antonio Mares, 57, choked to death while eating unsupervised at the Center Home for Hispanic Elderly in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. His diet required soft food, but staff allegedly failed to follow his physician’s orders and left him unattended.

His daughter sued the nursing home for negligence and improper supervision. The choking case in Chicago settled for $875,000, including confidential terms with other defendants, compensating his estate for wrongful death and loss suffered by his surviving daughter.

$842,802 Verdict – Multiple Fractures from Unwitnessed Fall at Kenwood Healthcare Center

Ida Brown, 82, a dementia nursing home patient at Kenwood Healthcare Center in Chicago, was found on the floor of her room with fractures to her hip, pelvis, and arm. Her family claimed the facility failed to implement fall precautions despite prior incidents, such as using bed alarms and closer monitoring.

The defense disputed the extent of the elderly woman’s injuries, but the jury found for Brown and awarded $842,801.78 for pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and medical costs in this Chicago hip fracture case.

$700,000 Settlement – Dehydration, Malnutrition, and Bedsores at Central Nursing Home

Walter Collins, 72, a resident at Central Nursing Home in Chicago, developed severe dehydration, malnutrition, and bedsores after staff allegedly provided inadequate care. His condition worsened, leading to sepsis and death in 1997.

His estate claimed the medical director of this Chicago nursing home was negligent in monitoring nutrition, hydration, and medication. The defendants denied wrongdoing but settled the wrongful death and pain and suffering claims for $700,000 to Collins’ surviving wife and children.

$552,000 Verdict – Ankle Fracture from Inadequate Supervision at Orland Park Rehab Facility

Timothy Maloney, 67, a retired police officer with a progressive neuromuscular disorder, fractured his ankle during physical therapy at Alden Estates of Orland Park. His estate alleged that therapy staff reduced his supervision from two aides to one, despite known balance issues.

While the defense argued the injury was spontaneous, the jury found the therapy provider negligent and awarded $552,000 for medical bills, pain and suffering, and disability. Maloney passed away from unrelated causes during the nursing home litigation.

$150,000 Settlement – Painful Bedsores and Neglect at Lexington Health Care of Orland Park

Alice Horne, 82, developed Stage IV bedsores on her heels and sacrum while residing at Lexington Health Care of Orland Park. Her estate alleged the facility failed to monitor her nutrition and treat wounds appropriately.

The defense claimed the sores were unavoidable due to Horne’s medical conditions. The parties reached a $150,000 nursing home abuse settlement for Horne’s pain and suffering and loss of normal life during the final months before her death.

What Are Common Grounds for Nursing Home Lawsuits?

Many families turn to legal action after discovering that a facility failed to protect their loved one from harm. Below are some of the most common legal grounds for pursuing a nursing home lawsuit.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the intentional use of force that causes pain, injury, or impairment to a nursing home resident. This can include hitting, slapping, pinching, rough handling during transfers, or the improper use of restraints.

In many nursing home abuse cases, injuries like unexplained bruises, broken bones, or hip fractures can indicate physical abuse. Facilities are responsible for preventing abuse and may be held liable if staff, other residents, or even outside visitors cause bodily harm.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional or psychological abuse can be just as damaging as physical harm. It includes yelling, insults, threats, humiliation, and isolating residents from others. These actions often go unreported but can lead to severe anxiety, depression, and a decline in a nursing home resident’s overall health.

Emotional abuse may also be used to control or manipulate residents. Lawsuits may arise when facilities fail to train staff or ignore signs that a resident is being emotionally mistreated.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse occurs when someone exploits or steals from a resident, often taking advantage of cognitive impairments like dementia. This can involve unauthorized use of bank accounts, forged checks, or pressuring a resident to change wills or financial documents.

Nursing homes may be liable if staff members commit fraud or if they fail to prevent access by outside individuals known to exploit vulnerable residents. Lawsuits can help recover stolen assets and hold the facility accountable.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in a nursing home setting includes any non-consensual sexual contact or exposure. Victims are often elderly, cognitively impaired, or physically unable to defend themselves. This abuse may be committed by staff members, visitors, or even other residents when the facility fails to provide adequate supervision.

Signs of sexual abuse include bruising, panic attacks, or sudden withdrawal. These cases are among the most serious and frequently result in lawsuits seeking significant nursing home abuse compensation.

Neglect

Nursing home neglect refers to a facility’s failure to meet a resident’s basic needs, including hygiene, nutrition, medication, or medical care. Common outcomes include pressure ulcers, infections, dehydration, and unexplained injuries.

Unlike abuse, which is intentional, neglect may result from inadequate staffing, poor training, or a lack of proper protocols. A nursing home neglect case can lead to legal action when a resident experiences significant harm due to inattention or unsafe conditions over an extended period.

Wrongful Death

A wrongful death claim arises when a facility fails to provide adequate care, leading to a resident’s preventable death. Wrongful death cases often involve issues such as untreated infections, severe bedsores, malnutrition, or fatal falls. Family members have the right to seek compensation for funeral costs, emotional trauma, and financial losses caused by losing a loved one.

What Legal Rights Do Injured Victims and Family Members Have in Illinois?

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act is the primary statute governing resident rights and standards of care in licensed facilities. It defines abuse as “any physical or mental injury or sexual assault inflicted on a resident other than by accidental means in a facility.”

Neglect is defined as a facility’s “failure to provide adequate medical or personal care or maintenance, which results in physical or mental injury or in the deterioration of a resident’s physical or mental condition.”

Under this Act, nursing home residents are entitled to:

• Freedom from abuse or neglect
• Proper medical treatment
• Respect for personal dignity
• The right to file grievances without retaliation

Violations of this Act that impact nursing home residents’ well-being may be grounds for a nursing home lawsuit.

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit is generally two years from the date the injury was discovered, or reasonably should have been discovered. In cases involving fraudulent concealment—where a facility intentionally hides evidence of abuse or neglect—the deadline may be extended to five years, under 735 ILCS 5/13-215.

For wrongful death claims, the time limit is two years from the date of death, as outlined in the Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180).

In addition to protections under Illinois law, residents have federal rights under the Nursing Home Reform Act (part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987). These include the right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect
• Participate in care planning
• Refuse treatment
• Voice complaints without fear of retaliation

Several state and federal agencies are responsible for licensing, oversight, and enforcement:

• Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – Investigates complaints and inspects facilities. You can file a report directly online or by phone.
• Adult Protective Services (APS) – Handles cases of elder abuse, financial abuse, and neglect for adults age 60+ and individuals with disabilities.
• Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program – Advocates for residents in care facilities and assists with complaints and rights enforcement.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – Maintains quality ratings and tracks inspection violations at the federal level.

How to File a Nursing Home Lawsuit in Illinois

Filing a nursing home lawsuit in Illinois begins with a free case review with an experienced personal injury lawyer, who will review the facts, explain your legal rights, and determine whether the case has merit.

If it moves forward, your attorney will begin gathering evidence, including medical records, facility reports, witness statements, and any relevant documentation from the Illinois Department of Public Health or Adult Protective Services. Medical experts may also be consulted to evaluate how the injury occurred and whether proper care was provided.

Once the facts are clear, your attorney will file the lawsuit and begin the legal process, which includes exchanging documents with the defense and engaging in nursing home settlement negotiations with the insurance company.

Many cases are resolved without going to trial, but if necessary, your lawyer will present the case in court. If the case results in a nursing home neglect settlement or verdict, your legal team will assist with resolving medical liens and ensuring the compensation awarded is appropriately distributed.

Book a Free Consultation and Seek Justice for Your Elderly Loved One

If you believe your loved one has suffered abuse, neglect, or wrongful death in an Illinois nursing home, you don’t have to face it alone. At Nursing Home Law Center, our legal team is here to help you understand your rights.

We offer a free consultation to review your case, answer your questions, and explain what legal options may be available. There’s no cost to speak with us, and no obligation to move forward unless you choose to. If we take your case, you won’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.

Contact us today at 800-926-7565 to speak directly with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer who will treat your concerns with the attention and respect you and your family deserve.