CHICAGO, IL – More than 1.2 million people are living in nursing homes across the United States. Residents may live in a nursing home facility because they need help with daily tasks such as eating and bathing or may have long-term medical needs that families and other means cannot provide their loved one with. Many nursing home residents suffer from mental or physical disabilities that reduce their level of independence; therefore, nursing home staff must keep them as healthy and safe as possible.
Unfortunately, some nursing home residents are not treated with compassion and the competent medical attention they deserve. If you or your loved one has been a victim of abuse or neglect, you may want to bring a personal injury claim against the facilities and those who harmed you or a loved one. In order for your claim to be successful, you must show evidence of the nursing homes wrongdoing.
Elements of a Nursing Home Claim
To hold a negligent nursing home accountable and recover financial compensation for the abuse and/or neglect, you and your personal injury attorney will need to prove that:
- The nursing home owed a duty to you or your loved one
- The nursing home breached that duty
- You or your loved one was injured as a result
- The injuries resulted in damaged and/or financial costs
It can be hard to know exactly how a nursing home resident was injures – especially for those who suffer from a mental disability such as dementia or Alzheimer’s which affects their memory and cognition. To fully understand the circumstances, your personal injury attorney may gather evidence such as:
- Care logs
- Medical records and bills
- Operating procedures, hiring practices, and staff training schedule
- Surveillance footage
- Photographs
- Insurance claim documents
- Testimony from witnesses
- Testimony from “expert witnesses” such as medical professionals
Contact a Cook County Nursing Home Abuse Injury Attorney
Nursing homes have both an ethical and legal obligation to provide residents with the adequate everyday care and medical attention they need; however, sometimes they fall short. If a nursing home caused a resident to be injured due to their negligence or being intentionally abusive, the injured person may file a personal injury claim. To learn more about bringing a nursing home injury lawsuit against a negligent facility, contact the Dinizulu Law Group at (312) 384-1920 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney. Visit our website for more information.
