What Should I Do If I Suspect Nursing Home Negligence? 

 Posted on January 21, 2022 in Medical Malpractice

The goal of finding a nursing home for your older friends or family members is to provide them with the opportunity to receive care when living alone is no longer an option for them. Many nursing homes are presented as being both credible and safe for the elderly.  

As a concept, a nursing home sounds like a lovely place of residence where residents will be protected, assisted, and cared for on a regular basis. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes provide the competent care residents deserve. 

Occasionally, residents of nursing homes are subjected to negligence on behalf of those who are supposed to keep them safe. If you suspect that your loved one was injured or killed by nursing home negligence, there are a few key steps that we suggest you take immediately upon becoming aware of the circumstances. 

What Counts as Nursing Home Negligence? 

In Illinois, nursing home negligence is defined as the abuse or neglect of a resident who is residing in a long-term care facility. 

Staff at a negligent nursing home may:

• Provide residents with too much or too little medication

• Ignore medical problems like urinary tract infections leading to additional health problems

• Fail to supervise residents leading to resident wandering and elopement

• Make mistakes when transferring residents from beds to wheelchairs leading to injuries

• Intentionally threaten, demean, or verbally abuse residents

• Physically or sexually abuse residents 

Keep in mind that this is not a conclusive list. When a nursing home is given the responsibility of caring for a resident disregards that responsibility and chooses to either neglect or abuse the resident, the nursing home may be liable for damages. 

Hire an Experienced Illinois-Based Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer 

Last but certainly not least, it is highly advisable to retain legal counsel when you suspect nursing home negligence. Negligent behavior, no matter the context, can be difficult to prove in a legal sense. However, a nursing home abuse lawyer who has experience handling cases involving nursing home negligence can do more for you than the Department of Health official can. With an attorney, you can seek justice for your loved one. 

Call a Kane County Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer

At Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C., we focus on extending compassion as we work to build a case on behalf of residents enduring nursing home negligence. We are dedicated to every case we take on, and you can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to fight for justice. To speak with an Aurora, IL nursing home negligence attorney, call 630-907-0909 and schedule a free consultation today. 

Source: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1225&ChapterID=21