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CHICAGO, IL – Illinois nursing homes are continuously challenged by an inadequate amount of care workers to provide to residents needs. Although Illinois law requires 2.5 hours of direct care for residents each day, very few residents actually get that amount of direct care time which puts them at risk for abuse and neglect.

Some long-term facilities have routinely been understaffed for years while others manage facilities with little interest in providing attentive, quality resident care. As a result, fall-related injuries among residents are on the rise.

Hazards that can cause fall injuries to occur in nursing homes include:

• Bathtubs without handlebars
• Beds that are set too high
• Broken bed rails
• Improper transfer from wheelchair to bed, bed to toilet, or chair to chair
• Understaffed departments unable to attend to patient’s needs (grooming, toileting, mobility to wheelchair or walker)
• Over-medicating residents with anti-anxiety drugs and sedatives
• Restraints
• Stairs
• Electrical cords
• Poor lighting
• Wet floors
• Loose rugs
• Poorly fitted wheelchairs
• Poorly maintained wheelchairs

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among adults age 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Injuries from Fall Injures in Nursing Homes

Between 50 to 75% of nursing home residents will have a fall each year. When elderly individuals fall, these injuries can be severe as their bones are not able to recover the way a younger person’s bones do. Fall injuries in nursing homes can lead to bone fractures, brain injuries, or even death.

Residents that are prescribed antipsychotics, blood thinners, and anticonvulsant drugs also carry their own extra risk of falling.

Because of how common and well-known fall injuries are in long-term care facilities, staff should take extra precaution and follow care plans that include fall prevention strategies. When improper care is provided and staffing levels are insufficient, it becomes easy for an older adult to become injured by a preventable fall.

The CDC states that the rising number of deaths from falls amongst this older age group can be addressed by “screening for fall risk and intervening to address risk factors such as use of medicines that may increase fall risk, or poor strength and balance.”

Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney

The experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys of Dinizulu Law Group have brought justice for our clients and their families while upholding responsible parties for the abuse and neglect their loved ones endured. If a loved one has sustained serious injuries resulting from a fall at a nursing home, you may be entitled to compensation. There is a time limit to file a case in Illinois, so please contact our office for a free consultation with one of our skilled nursing home attorneys.

If you suspect any fall injury resulting from neglect or abuse at your loved ones nursing home, contact the attorneys of Dinizulu Law Group for a free consultation at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for more information.

CHICAGO, IL – Construction sites pose a dangerous threat to the lives of construction workers. Catastrophic injuries can occur from defective construction equipment, lack of supervision, improper equipment, and improper training. Illinois negligence and workers’ compensation laws may apply to specific injury related cases. For example, a worker may not meet the eligibility requirement for a workers’ compensation claim, but they may have a claim against a manufacturer of construction equipment or a sub-contractor.

In Illinois, construction accidents are typically resolved according to common law principles of negligence law. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act works to resolve the claims of workers. Government entities may owe workers a duty to maintain highway conditions and eliminate any harmful risks to workers.

Construction injury claims often entail filing a negligence claim against one or multiple parties. It’s common for there to be more than one defendant which can include a subcontractor, government agency, architect, engineer, manufacturer, distributor, or general contractor. The worker filing the claim must prove they have been injured under negligence law and Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.

There are at least six different ways that you can receive compensation for your construction injury:

• Workers’ compensation claim
• Lawsuit against one of the other construction companies or subcontractors on the work site
• Product liability lawsuit when construction equipment at the work site malfunctions
• Filing a claim against a coworker that caused the injury
• A lawsuit against your own employer (if exceptions from the workers’ compensation apply)
• Filing a court case against the company that’s responsible for maintaining the work site

Lawsuits Against Subcontractors

While you cannot file a lawsuit as a plaintiff against your own employer for a construction injury accident, there are multiple parties you may hold liable for the negligence. There may be several contractors or subcontractors.

Unlike a workers’ compensation, a personal injury lawsuit requires you prove that someone failed to live up to their standard of care. For example, if you are a subcontractor, you can file a lawsuit against the negligent general contractor if they were at fault for the injuries you sustained.

Product Liability Lawsuits

Defective tools and machinery are the main causes of construction site injuries. Some examples of different machinery that could injure a worker may include:

• Cranes
• Front loaders
• Machine Tools
• Backhoes

You can win a product liability lawsuit if you are able to prove that construction equipment was defectively manufactured, designed, or the company did not adequately warn you of the dangers of the machinery or equipment. For example, the design of a product could be unreasonably dangerous, in which you could receive compensation for. Alternatively, if a crane was not properly assembled, you may also have a product liability case.

Negligent Lawsuits Against A Third Party

There are many other entities you can hold accountable for your injuries through a third-party personal injury claim. For example, the property owner that controls the construction site may be separate from your employer.

You could also bring a civil lawsuit forward against your coworker if they were negligent and it caused your injury; however, you would need to consider the likelihood if they’d be able to pay the verdict.

Workers’ Compensation Claim

The great thing about workers’ compensation claim for a worker is that it is a no-fault system. Meaning if you were partially or completely to blame for what happened, you can still receive compensation. The downside to this type of claim is that the damages you can be paid are limited.

Workers’ compensation benefits allow for the worker to be paid for your lost wages from work that you have actually missed, the cost of medical bills, and other medical expenses. You may also be paid for lost earnings capacity from a construction related injury. However, you cannot receive non-economic damages in this type of claim. This means you cannot recover compensation for physical pain and suffering or punitive damages.

Filing a Lawsuit Against Your Own Employer

When filing an injury lawsuit, you ideally would want to file a personal injury claim against your own employer. A general rule typically is a worker must be able to prove much more than negligence.

Illinois law have very limited exceptions that would allow you to sue. You typically can only file a personal injury lawsuit against an employer if they acted intentionally or if they didn’t have workers’ compensation insurance. Illinois also does not have a gross negligent standard, as there are in many other states.

What to do If You’ve Been Injured at a Construction Site

If you’re working on a construction site and have been injured, you should call an experience personal injury attorney right away. An attorney can help identify the negligent party, and in these types of cases, there’s often multiple parties to be held accountable.

The seasoned practitioners of Dinizulu Law Group have secured multi-million dollar verdicts and policies for our clients by holding negligent parties accountable for work-related injuries. Our attorneys have the resources and knowledge that is able to secure damages for your case. Call our office today for a free, no obligation consultation at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for more information.

CHICAGO, Ill. – A multi-vehicle crash on Wednesday left one person dead and several other injuries on Interstate 41 in Wisconsin.

A semi-truck hit a snowplow, causing it to overturn and roll into a ditch.

A witness said, “visibility cut and then all the sudden I was seeing the semi in front of me and then you could see stuff in the ditch on the left and the ditch on the right and then just the unfolding of the semi hitting the dump truck in front of me.

The crashes took place near State Highway 144 and Cedar Creek Road in Polk, Wisconsin, about an hour northwest of Milwaukee.

There were at least three chain-reaction crashes within a 20-mile stretch, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. It is not clear how many people were injured or how many serious injuries there were.

Patients in need of care can’t always actively advocate for their own health. They may be too young, or they may be dealing with age-related issues such as dementia or Alzheimer’s or may be in too much pain to listen to their healthcare provider carefully; nevertheless, sometimes a person may need a medical advocate to ensure they receive the adequate care they deserve. Medical advocates can help doctors and caregivers understand the patient’s medical history and risk factors, in addition to catching medical mistakes and even abuse.

1. Ask Questions

One of the best ways you can advocate for your loved ones health is by asking questions. Whether they’re information-driven questions or asking the hard questions, such as what happens if a procedure goes wrong, it’s important these questions are asked if you’re loved one can’t for themselves.

Asking questions may sound easy; however, it can be overwhelming as it requires basic healthcare knowledge and detailed information about your loved one’s condition.

2. Answer Questions

Your loved one may have many questions about their health, especially when it comes to healthcare procedures. This can be intimidating and overwhelming for someone who is in chronic pain or is already dealing with a bad diagnosis.

As someone’s healthcare advocate, step in whenever you can to help or answer any questions your loved one might have. This may include routinely filling out patient information for them. If any confusing questions are asked, make sure to answer them for your loved one in a manner that doesn’t add unnecessary stress to the situation.

3. Bring Medical Information

If you’re loved one is dealing with a difficult diagnosis, this can be very difficult on the patient and loved ones. It can make it easy to overlook basic things, such as bringing crucial medical information with you to an appointment or procedure.

As a medical advocate, make sure to have a copy of the patient’s medical history, medications, personal information, and ID cards with you prior to the appointment.

4. Takes Notes

Bring a notepad – don’t be afraid to take notes of what your loved one’s medical provider is telling you. Write down the medication dosage your loved one may need, or what their rehabilitation procedure will look like, or their dietary restrictions leading up to a procedure. This provides a physical record you can return to.

5. Look Out for Mistakes

One of the most crucial things you can do as your loved one’s medical advocate is remain vigilant for mistakes. For example, a prescription can be poorly written or furthermore, need further clarification.

While doctors and nurses should be on their feet against errors like this, this doesn’t always mean it’s true. Healthcare providers work extremely long hours and are often understaffed, both of which leave room for medical errors to happen. As an advocate, it’s important to recognize abuse or neglect for your loved ones health.

6. Speak Up When Somethings Not Right

Whether you find an error in your loved ones prescription or you’re confused on the rehabilitation after a procedure, it’s important to ask these questions. If you have these questions, it’s likely your loved one does too. It’s important to remain confident in critical medical situations. Do not let a healthcare provider rush you out the door until they answer all of your questions and concerns. As your loved ones advocate, it’s important to fight for them and speak up for them when they are unable to.

7. Communicate Your Loved Ones Wishes

While it’s easy to get caught up in our own thoughts and opinions, you are your loved ones medical advocate first. You have to remember you are representing someone else – not yourself. Communicate their concerns and wishes to doctors and nurses, even if you don’t necessarily agree with them. You can discuss your opinion with your loved one behind closed doors, but it’s important to remain confident and communicate clearly and effectively what their wishes are.

8. Don’t Give Up

Being a person’s medical advocate can be tiring, uncomfortable, and unpleasant at times. Remember, these are the times your loved one needs you the most. Don’t give up and stay strong for your loved one. Know if you are scared, they are twice as scared. Remind them everything will be okay and you will continue to advocate for them until they are satisfied.

Contact a Medical Negligence and Abuse Attorney in Chicago, Illinois

If your loved one has suffered from medical negligence or abuse, it’s important you reach out to the police immediately and contact an experienced medical negligence and abuse attorney right away.

The seasoned medical negligence and abuse attorneys of Dinizulu Law Group have the knowledge and resources to hold your loved ones healthcare provider(s) accountable. We know this can be overwhelming, and we ensure we do everything to make this an easier process for our clients. Call our office today at (312) 384-1920 for a free, no obligation consultation today or visit our website for additional information.