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CHICAGO, IL – Throughout the month of November, activists seek to spread the word about nursing home abuse and neglect so residents of long-term care facilities remain safe. National Long-Term Care Awareness Month also encourages elder adults to have a care plan in place for their future.

Long-Term Care Awareness Month

Started in November 2001, Long-Term Care Awareness Month was created to raise awareness about planning for elder care. The month is recognized by Congress and various states in an effort to make information regarding long-term care more accessible.

This month is also an opportunity to check in on your loved ones who live in nursing home facilities. Isolated seniors may be at higher risk of elder abuse so it’s critical that you check-in with them and how they are cared for. 2 in 3 staff members from nursing home and long-term care facilities reported that they have committed abuse in the past year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Why are older adults at risk of nursing home abuse or neglect?

Nursing home residents face a greater chance of neglect or abuse when their needs are not met by staff. Examples include poor management, an understaff facility or caregivers that are abusive.

In the same study by WHO, around 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in a community setting during the past year. Cases of abuse or neglect are not normal and unacceptable. National Long-Term Care Awareness Month reminds us how important it is to check in on our loved ones who live in long-term care facilities.

How to participate in Long-Term Care Awareness Month

If you have a loved one that resides in a long-term care facility, consider scheduling a visit to check up on them. It’s a great way to celebrate and honor Long-Term Care Awareness Month. If you don’t live in close proximity to your loved one, you can also use a video conferencing app like Zoom or Facetime.

It’s never too early to have plans in place for your future. If your loved one is getting older, sit down with them to explore their options. Take into consideration if your loved one would prefer their own room or a shared room, what community activities are available and more.

Contacting a nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer

If you or a loved one has been a victim of elder abuse, consider sharing your story to spread awareness of this widespread issue. Depending on the statue of limitations in your state, you may be able to file a lawsuit against your abuser, nursing home facility and more. Contact one of our skilled attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group for a free case evaluation. To receive a complimentary consultation, call (312) 384-1920.

CHICAGO, IL – The #MeToo movement was taken on five years ago and is still a predominately talked about subject across all social media platforms. Alyssa Milano, creator of the #MeToo movement, went viral after tweeting, “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted, write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” In under twenty-four hours, more than 12 million responses garnered the attention that stories of sexual harassment and sexual assault are not to be ignored.

So, where are many of the high-profile men accused of sexual misconduct or harassment? According to the Washington Post, the New York Times counted 201 men by late 2018 while Vox compiled a list of more than 260 before it stopped counting in 2019.

While men like the now-imprisoned producer Harvey Weinstein or former “Today” show host Matt Lauer, are eternally discredited, many high-profile men who have been accused of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment have reclaimed their careers and public reputation.

Accusations that drew very little journalistic follow-up left several men in positions to avoid serious consequences for their actions thanks to the amount of media attention. Moreover, timing is critical in these types of cases from the outcry of victims who kept their stories private for years or decades on end.

Simpson Tuegel, a representative of more than a dozen former U.S. gymnasts that were abused by team doctor Larry Nassar, told the Washington Post, “sometimes adult survivors and adult women face more scrutiny. That is not warranted and not fair, but they do. There are questions that cannot be asked when it involves a child that will be asked when it involves an adult women.”

State legislatures have been busy

While the #MeToo movement didn’t have much success at the federal level, it did product a major piece of legislation: the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. Between 2017 and 2021, states introduced nearly 2,325 #MeToo-related bills and passed 286.

By 2019, reforms addressed a broader range of women’s rights issues including pay equity, family, sick and pregnancy leave and occupation-specific protections for women in vulnerable sectors such as food service, hospitality and domestic work.

While the bulk of new protections enacted by blue states, swing states like Virginia and red states such as Texas and Louisiana introduced a substantial amount of bills addressing workplace harassment and gender equity.

There’s work still to be done

While much work has been done, we still have a ways to go.

States need to focus on the most marginalized by gender equity issues including the domestic workers who are disproportionately immigrant women of color who face high-levels of abuse, yet remain unprotected by federal harassment laws if they work for individual families.

State pay equity legislation rarely accounts for the racial and ethnic pay group for compounding disparities for Black and Latina women. Black women are estimated to lose nearly $1 million potential dollars over the course of their careers.

Low-wage workers — which includes disproportionately ranks women of color — to make ends meet. Nearly half of all women of color working in low-wage positions lived or near the poverty line in 2018.

Research suggests the #MeToo movement galvanized state legislatures to act and that the movement has come to encompass a broader array of gender-based reforms, going far beyond the Harvey Weinstein’s and Bill Cosby’s of the world that initially launched this conversation five years ago.

CHICAGO, IL – When people seek medical treatment, they do so with faith that everything goes well; unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. A recent study revealed medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, only behind heart disease and cancer.

If you believe you have been the victim of medical malpractice, the legal team at the Dinizulu Law Group is ready to help you.

Some of the most common forms of medical malpractice in Illinois include:

• Delayed or Missed Diagnosis
  When the diagnosis of your medical condition is missed or delayed, you aren’t receiving the proper treatment needed to recover. Furthermore, this could mean that your condition may become worse and/or no longer treatable. Delayed or missed diagnosis are common – an estimated 28% of all cancer cases in the U.S. are misdiagnosed.
• Medication Errors
  Medication is given to a patient to help improve or stabilize their condition. If a mistake is made while prescribing or administering the medication, serious harm or fatality may occur. Nearly 1.5 million people are injured by medication errors annually. Other types of medication errors may include mislabeling medications, miscommunicating or prescribing medications other than what it is intended for.
• Anesthesia Errors
  An anesthesia error can occur when anesthesiologists, nurses, doctors or other medical professionals don’t monitor a patient’s vital signs or level of consciousness during a surgical procedure or if they fail to properly inspect and maintain the equipment being used.
• Surgical Errors
  All surgeries involve a level of risk. Surgical errors can happen if a surgery is performed on the wrong body part of wrong patient and can leave the patient with life-long injuries.

Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Illinois

At the Dinizulu Law Group, our skilled team of medical malpractice attorneys are here to help you. With millions secured in medical malpractice awards, our team has the skills, knowledge and resources to hold the negligent doctor, hospital or organization accountable. To receive a free consultation and case evaluation, call our office now at (312) 384-1920.

CHICAGO, IL – Long-Term Care Planning Month encourages seniors and their loved ones to take a look at the potential need for these services in the future. While the future is unknown, exploring long-term care options will pay off in the long run when the services are needed rather than being blindsided and rushed to find a facility.

There are a variety of options available to seniors today than ever before. Here are five tips to keep in mind during Long-Term Care Planning Month:

1. Visualize your ideal senior living situation. It can be hard to find the right fit which is why you need to ask yourself critical questions like if you would prefer living in a single room or a companion suite? Would you like some type of outdoor space like a garden or walking paths? Is the facility near other family members so they are able to visit conveniently?
2. Take a look at your finances. Sitting down to figure out your finances can be a mundane task; however, it will help you have a better understanding of what you can afford on a monthly and annual basis.
3. Take the time to plan. Just like any other decision, it’s important to take your time while making the decision of where you may potentially live. Ensure that the type of nursing home or long-term care facility has activities and offers the level of support that you need and are looking for.
4. Meet with a professional advisor. This may include meeting with your elder law attorney who helps prepare legal documents who can spell out the appropriate level of care you will need and your preferences in treatment.
5. Imagine your life living in a long-term care facility. As with any change, it may take some time to settle in and feel “at home” again. It can be difficult being away from family and friends which is why you should ensure that the facility is in close proximity so they can visit as often as possible, either in-person or virtually!

Planning for the unknown can be difficult, but by going through the process of planning for long-term care that will eventually be needed, you and your family will have peace at mind knowing this is taken care of and will be less stressful when the time comes.

If you’d like to check out more information on nursing home information, check out the blog on our website! If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of our nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys today by calling (312) 384-1920.

CHICAGO, IL – If you’ve been summoned for jury duty, you may not be too thrilled; however, you serve an extremely important role in the court of law and ensuring justice is served. Not only is it a civic responsibility and legal obligation, but is one of the highest duties of American citizenship. While it may be an inconvenience, not everyone has the right to serve on a jury.

Who can serve as a juror?

To be eligible for jury service, you must be an American citizen, at least 18 years of age, a resident of the county you were summoned in, the ability to read, write and understand the English language. Convicted felons may not be eligible for jury service depending on the severity of the felony.

How are citizens selected to serve on a jury?

To be summoned for jury duty in Illinois, you must be a registered voter or had a valid driver’s license, an Illinois Identification Card or an Illinois Disabled Person Identification Card. Eligible citizens can be called once every twelve months.

How long does the jury selection process last?

While in court, you will be asked to take in oath in which you will answer all questions truthfully. A prospective juror may spend one day in court.

Can jury duty be postponed? 

If you’re unable to appear on the summons date, you’re able to ask for a postponement to a more convenient date which is normally a few months out from when you were originally summoned. Call the phone number that is listed on the summons and explain why you’re unable to appear.

I’m employed. What do I do now?

Under the law, you are legally protected against employer harassment or from being fired for responding to jury duty service; however, you must notify your employer in advance. Employers are not required by law to pay employees who take time off for jury service, although many employers opt to do so.

What happens if you don’t report for jury duty?

There are consequences if you were summoned for jury duty and don’t appear. You may be held in contempt of court and be fined and/or sent to jail.

How long do trials last?

Every case is different; therefore, the timeline of the trial differs from case to case. Trial may last a few days to a few weeks or months. The judge will inform jury members how long they anticipate the trial lasting.

What are key terms used in trials?

If you have previously served on a jury or will be, you’ll notice key terminology throughout the trial. Here’s a breakdown of the most common terms:

• Plaintiff – A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
• Defendant – An individual, company or institution sued or accused in a court of law.
• Expert witness – A person who is permitted to testify at trial due to their special knowledge, proficiency or expertise in a particular field that is relevant to the case.
• Petit jury – A jury, typically of twelve people, who try the final issue of fact in civil or criminal cases and pronounce a verdict.
• Re-direct examination – Follows cross-examination by an attorney and is conducted by the part who first examined the witness.
• Rebuttal – The introduction, at an appropriate time during the trial, showing the statements of witnesses as to what occurred are not true.
• Deliberations – The period after evidence has been presented to the jury before they move to a special room to discuss the evidence for the first time heard during the trial to reach a decision or verdict.
• Polling the jury – Practice where jurors are asked individually whether they agreed and still agree to the verdict.
• Sentencing – The judge determines the sentence for someone found guilty of a criminal action including prison, city jail time, a fine, some form of probation or a conditional discharge.