nursing home neglect | Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd

Protect Loved Ones from Nursing Home Neglect

September 11, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

Recognize Dehydration

Dehydration is a serious, potentially fatal risk that is faced by elderly residents of nursing facilities. In a recent study, 31% of residents in nursing homes who were examined were found to be dehydrated. This can be caused by medications and certain conditions such as diabetes, but is also a result of changes in the body that occur as people age. Luckily the early stages of dehydration are easy to treat, and by being aware of the symptoms dangerous medical problems can be avoided.

Mild to Moderate Dehydration

The symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration tend to be fairly innocuous individually, so it is important to take note if you notice several of them occurring at once. Loved ones may seem sleepy or irritable, complain of headaches, dizziness or cramping in their arms and legs. More specific symptoms are a dry, sticky feeling in the mouth and dry skin. Most importantly, as a person becomes dehydrated, his or her need to urinate disappears as the body tries to conserve liquids. If someone cannot remember the last time he or she urinated, chances are it was too long ago and more fluids are required. When a person who is dehydrated does pass urine, it will be of a dark color – the darker the color typically the more dehydrated the person is.

Severe Dehydration

As a person becomes progressively more dehydrated, additional symptoms begin to appear. The mucous membranes dry out and the patient begins to develop sunken eyes. Skin will also begin to lose its elasticity. In the last stages the patient can develop low blood pressure, fever, and a rapid heartbeat and breathing difficulties. Serious, potentially fatal complications can occur from long-term or severe dehydration, including heat exhaustion or heatstroke, cerebral edema (swelling of the brain), seizures, kidney failure and comas.

Severe dehydration is an emergency. It is potentially lethal and requires immediate medical attention, especially in elderly and pediatric patients. If you suspect that you or a loved one is showing symptoms of severe dehydration, contact a medical professional as soon as possible.

Illinois Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Attorneys

If you or your loved one has suffered from dehydration while in a nursing home, you or your loved one could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your expenses, injuries, and suffering. The experienced and compassionate attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. will work with you to determine the best way to handle your nursing home abuse or neglect claim. Email us or call us at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys in Chicago.

Client’s Moving Testimonial About Her Mom’s Death in a Nursing Home

September 4, 2017/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

Sylvia’s mom had died suddenly and she and her family didn’t know what to do. The nursing home caring for Sylvia’s mom wasn’t giving Sylvia’s family any answers. The doctors treating Sylvia’s mom in her final days said that her mom had the highest levels of dehydration. Sylvia’s family didn’t know who to believe or who to turn to for answers.

A trusted friend recommended Sylvia The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. for the help she and her family needed in the aftermath of this devastating incident. The nursing home abuse attorneys of the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. proved in the court of law that the nursing home acted negligently and they should be held accountable for the harm they have caused.

While no amount of compensation will bring Sylvia’s mom back, Sylvia and her family were happy with the recovery results. They felt they had finally gotten justice for their mom and were able to move past this incident that had haunted them for so long.

The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. guided Sylvia and her family through the lengthy course of their case. Sylvia and her family always felt informed about the progress of their case. From the nursing home abuse attorneys to the legal assistants, the DLG team took the time and care to explain to Sylvia and her family what would happen. Now Sylvia says the findings of the case have brought their family closer together and given them all a peace of mind.

Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. by email or call us at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW if you believe you or a loved one is a victim to nursing home abuse. No one should have to go through this alone. We offer the help and expertise you may need.

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.

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.

Volunteers Are Doing Their Part to Address Long-Term Care Complaints — Insights from a Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer in Chicago

May 26, 2017/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

The Chicago Tribune reports on a heartwarming program that aims to protect long-term care residents from neglect and abuse. The government-funded advocacy program is drumming up support all over the country because of its effectiveness and ingenious simplicity.

What Are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

May 9, 2017/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

Alzheimer’s is a type of progressive dementia that typically develops gradually in older adults. It is the most common form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are treatments available that can improve the quality of life of those who have it.

What Is the Health Care Worker Background Check Act?

May 9, 2017/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

Nursing home residents have the right to receive a reasonable standard of care from qualified and licensed health care professionals. In addition to assessing a candidate’s licensing, prior experience, and bedside manner, nursing home administrators must also consider the applicant’s criminal history.

3 Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Nursing Home

April 24, 2017/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

The growth of the elderly population in the United States has coincided with an increase of reports related to nursing home abuse and neglect. As such, if you are looking for a long-term care facility for your aging loved one, it is critical that you conduct thorough research when comparing the options.

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.