Elder abuse | Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd

Who Has The Power To Enforce Laws?

August 14, 2017/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Civil rights law, Court System, Elder abuse, Medical malpractice, Medical negligence, nursing home neglect, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Uncategorized, Workplace Discrimination, Workplace Injury, Wrongful death action/by Yao Dinizulu

When the United States established our institution of government through the Constitution the jury system was enshrined in that document. The 6^th and 7^th amendment were later added to the Constitution and protected the right to juries in criminal and civil cases.

But still more was needed to enforce this cherished right. African-Americans under federal law were given the right to serve on juries in 1875, but in practice many were openly and routinely removed from juries based on race until a US Supreme Court case in 1986 declared that conduct was prohibited by the constitution. Watch the video to learn more.

As late as 1942, only 28 states had laws that allowed women to serve as jurors, but these states also gave them the right to claim exemption based on their sex. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 gave women the right to serve on federal juries, but not until 1973 could women serve on juries in all fifty states.

The right to serve on jury is something people fought for and died for because this right is so important to the fabric of our laws. The primary purposes of civil tort law in America and here in Illinois as described by the Illinois Supreme Court is when someone has been wrongly injured by the acts of another the law is to:

to compensate the victims;
to reduce future wrong acts; and
to encourage careful conduct in the future to protect all of our citizens.

The jury enforces these laws through their collective verdict. By serving on juries, you are able to voice your opinion and influence the collective verdict. If you do not show up, you are allowing someone else to decide how the laws should be enforced. Therefore, someone else will have the power to determine the type of community you will live in. So remember, the juries’ verdict is how you enforce the laws of your community. That is why it’s so important to serve.

If you have questions about trial or your own serious injury, contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 312-384-1920 or by email. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys are known for their expertise and tough litigation. Schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury trial lawyers practicing throughout Illinois.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney to Assist with My Nursing Home Lawsuit in Chicago?

August 11, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse/by Yao Dinizulu

If you think your aging loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, you may be considering a lawsuit. Although you can file the claim on your own, having a seasoned nursing home abuse attorney by your side will make the process far less stressful, and your nursing home lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes that would harm your claim.

Evictions from Nursing Homes Have Doubled in Illinois

July 17, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse/by Yao Dinizulu

There are several legitimate reasons for evicting or discharging a resident from a nursing home or long-term care facility. For example, administrators might discharge a resident who recovered from serious injuries and no longer needs specialized care.

3 Facts to Know Before Your Loved One Enters a Nursing Home

June 26, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, more than 1,300,000 people receive care from nursing homes annually. This number is expected to rise because people over the age of 85 make up one of the fastest-growing populations. Unfortunately, the increasing demand for long-term care has coincided with a spike in the number of reports related to nursing home abuse and negligence.

Is My Loved One Ready to Move into a Nursing Home?

June 13, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse/by Yao Dinizulu

Moving your aging loved one into a nursing home may be one of the most difficult decisions you ever have to make. At the end of the day, though, you need to consider your relative’s best interests, as well as the extent of care your family will realistically be able to provide as your loved one ages.

CDC Study Finds That Legionnaires’ Disease Is Alarmingly Common in U.S. Nursing Homes—Chicago Nursing Home Attorney Insights

June 12, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse/by Yao Dinizulu

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal illness caused by the bacterium Legionella. These bacteria are often found in hot tubs, cooling towers, and air conditioning systems.

Could My Loved One Be Residing with a Sex Offender? Insights from a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Chicago

May 26, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse/by Yao Dinizulu

According to ThinkProgress.org, the median age of parolees was 51 years old as of 2010, and inmates over the age of 65 are the fastest-growing demographic of the U.S. prison population. Additionally, researchers have determined that inmates are more likely to experience health problems such as hypertension, arthritis, asthma, and hepatitis, and studies have indicated that for many prisoners, their physiological age is more than a decade older than their chronological age.

How To Improve Your Parent’s Care At A Nursing Home

April 14, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, then you need to know what a care plan is. It can mean the difference between your loved one being neglected or receiving the care that they need. Watch the video to learn more.

A care plan is essentially an individualized road map of the care that your loved one will receive. It takes into account the resident’s diagnosis and individual needs. What kinds of therapies will they receive for their conditions? What kind of nutrition do they need? How about their daily schedule? Do they need daily exercise? Are they bedridden and require repositioning? These are all questions that will be discussed during their care plan conference. Any staff or doctors that will be in charge of your loved one’s care should be in attendance so that all parties can be on the same page.

Once the care plan is complete, it’s your job to ensure that the plan is being enacted. You have to make sure to stay in constant communication with staff and doctors so that they know you are serious about the care your loved one is receiving. If any changes occur with your loved one, you have to make sure that the care plan is updated and that all those are who are a part of the plan are on the same page. Watch the video to learn more.

If you suspect nursing home neglect abuse or is happening to your loved one it’s important to contact a well-experienced nursing home neglect attorney. At the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., with over 60 years of combined experience, we handle these type of cases all the time. If you have questions, please email or call us at 312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW. Our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers are here for you. You may also learn more about nursing home neglect and abuse through our media page where you will find more videos and content on this important issue.

Nursing Home Resident Dies From An Improper Diet

April 14, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse, nursing home neglect, Uncategorized, Video/by Yao Dinizulu

Nursing homes can be a big help when you have elderly loved ones who need help caring for themselves. When you admit your loved one, you trust that they will be properly taken care of. Part of that care includes receiving adequate nutrition. So, what happens when your loved is not receiving adequate nutrition? Watch the video to learn more.

I had a former client who lost her mother due to improper nutrition while staying at a nursing facility. When her mother was admitted to the facility, she was 77 and in overall good health. She had a diagnosis of dementia and dsyphagia, or difficulty eating. The specific nursing home that the client’s mother was staying in was severely understaffed, which lead to the woman falling six times, with the final fall resulting in a fatality.

The fall in and of itself did not cause the patient’s death, but what happened as a result of the final fall did. Because the physician was never contacted to check on the patient after the final fall, they were not able to see the depressed state of her nutrition. She was not being properly monitored by the nursing home staff to make sure that she was eating and drinking enough to meet her daily caloric and liquid intake. Within three days, the patient began to show effects of starvation, and she became non-responsive. With that, she was rushed to the emergency room and diagnosed with severe dehydration.

Due to the severe dehydration, the patient fell into a coma and died within several days. The emergency room physician gave a testimony that was favorable, and the case was settled shortly after. You need to know how important it is that your loved one receives proper nutrition during their stay in a nursing home. Watch the video to learn more.

Dealing with nursing home neglect can be difficult. The compassionate and experienced Chicago nursing home neglect attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are on your side. If you have questions, please email or call us at 312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW. Our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers are here for you. You may also learn more about nursing home abuse through our media page where you will find more videos and content on this important subject.

How Much Does It Cost to File a Nursing Home Lawsuit in Chicago?

April 13, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse/by Yao Dinizulu

Nursing home abuse is a widespread problem in the United States. Sadly, many people who are abused and neglected at nursing homes never take legal action because they fear retaliation or they are concerned about the cost of filing a lawsuit. However, if your lawsuit is successful, your recovery will pay for your case costs, and taking action may save other residents from the same mistreatment.