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Nursing Home Abuse in America

November 12, 2015/in Blog, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Nursing Home Abuse in America

The population of elderly Americans is growing rapidly as the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age and beyond, and the number of people living in nursing facilities has risen accordingly. This has led to the rise of elderly Americans suffering abuse while in the care of these facilities.

There are about 15,700 nursing homes in the United States with more than 1.3 million residents, and this number is growing every day. Of these people an estimated 10% of residents have reported some kind of nursing home abuse within the last year. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has found that over 90% of American nursing homes had at least one failure to meet federal standards. (The average nursing home was found to have about six.) Even more disturbing, in a government study conducted in 2010, more than half of the nursing home staff surveyed admitted to having abused a resident at their facility within the last year. Nursing home abuse is not a rare problem and it is something that may affect you or somebody you know at some point.

Types of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse takes a variety of different forms. Some of the most common forms include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. These usually leave obvious signs of some sort, but passive neglect and financial exploitation are also huge problems facing America’s seniors and are much harder for family and friends to identify. It is important for you to stay alert for signs of potential abuse and neglect if you have a loved one living in a nursing facility. Often confusion or shame keeps seniors from reporting incidents of nursing home abuse to their friends and relatives, so families must remain vigilant. This is especially important if the elderly individuals are suffering from dementia. Nearly half of all people over the age of 85 have Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia, and of those approximately 47% have been mistreated by their caregivers.

Warning Signs

The signs of nursing home abuse vary depending on the type of abuse, but generally involve sudden changes in behavior or condition. Besides obvious physical symptoms like bruises, broken bones, abrasions, bedsores, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss, psychological symptoms can include things like unusual depression, withdrawal from a person’s normal activities, and rapidly occurring changes in alertness or mood. Any unexplained changes in a person’s financial situation should also be of concern.

Resources

As daunting a task as looking out for the best interests of a friend or loved one in a nursing home facility is, both government and nonprofit resources exist to help. The National Center on Elder Abuse, the United States Administration on Aging, the Nursing Home Abuse Guide, and many other organizations exist to provide you with information and support.

Illinois Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Attorneys

Nursing home neglect and abuse is a growing problem in the United States. If you or somebody you know has suffered from nursing home abuse or neglect you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your expenses, injuries, and suffering. The experienced and compassionate attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group will work with you to determine the best way to handle your nursing home abuse or neglect claim. Contact us to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today.

Protecting Your Loved Ones from Nursing Home Abuse: Recognizing Dehydration

In recent years the United States has been seeing a huge growth in Americans over the age of 65. With this, unfortunately, has come a corresponding increase in instances of trusted caregivers taking advantage of some of our country’s most vulnerable citizens. Research studies have shown that victims of nursing home abuse, even in modest or short-term situations, have a 300% increased risk of death than those who have not been victimized. Luckily, by being aware of some of the signs of potential problems faced by the elderly, families can take an active part in protecting their loved ones throughout their golden years.

Dehydration

Dehydration is a serious, potentially fatal risk that is faced by elderly residents of nursing facilities, but also one that is easily treated if recognized early. In a recent study of people in the care of nursing facilities by author Janet Mentes, 31% of the residents 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. Serious, potentially fatal complications can occur from long-term or severe dehydration, including heat exhaustion or heatstroke, cerebral edema (swelling of the brain), seizures, hypovolemic shock (caused by low blood volume), kidney failure, comas, and potentially death. 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. They may seem sleepy or irritable, complain of headaches, dizziness, or cramping in their arms and legs. More specific symptoms that show evidence the body is lacking water 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 can not 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 and it will no longer “bounce back” when folded or pressed on. In the last stages of dehydration the patient can develop low blood pressure, fever, and a rapid heartbeat and breathing. This can potentially lead to them slipping into delirium and unconsciousness.

Medical Emergency

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

Nursing home neglect and abuse is a growing problem in the United States. If you or somebody you know has suffered from nursing home abuse or neglect, you 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. Contact us to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today.

Divvy: New Options Bring New Hazards

November 8, 2015/in Blog, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Divvy: New Options Bring New Hazards

Bike sharing has become a growing trend in urban transportation. Opening for service in June of 2013, Divvy was the city of Chicago’s answer to this new mobility option. With a system of close to 5,000 bicycles and 476 stations, and a daily ridership of around 13,000 people, chances are you have seen some of these blue and white bikes around town already.

With Divvy, riders purchase either a yearly membership or a day pass that will allow them to unlock bicycles from the rental stations around town, then when they return the bike to a station they are billed according to their usage. Divvy does not, however, provide helmets or safety information, and it requires users to sign a thorough rental agreement with the company. Among other things, this agreement indemnifies Divvy and the city of Chicago from any liability resulting from the use of the service, and makes the renter financially responsible for the full replacement cost ($1,200) of the bike if it is stolen or irreparably damaged.

Bicycle Accidents

Illinois is fifth in the nation in the yearly number of bicycle deaths, and the most recent statistics provided by the city of Chicago report nearly 9,000 bicycle crashes resulting in injuries and 32 fatalities within a six year period. While these crashes only make up a small number of the total bicyclists navigating Chicago’s streets on a daily basis, bicycle accidents have a high likelihood of resulting in head injuries which can lead to lifelong medical issues. A sobering statistic from the motorcycling community that is relevant to bicyclists too is that 61% of damages that occur to the head area of riders involved in crashes occur in places that are not covered by half-helmet
-style protection, such as bicycle helmets.

Bicycles and Traffic Laws

In the state of Illinois bicycles are considered a vehicle and are held to the same traffic laws that cars are. This means that not only do bicyclists have to follow the same rules of the road as cars, but they are also held to the same liability standards as cars. If a bicyclist causes a wreck, they are financially responsible for whatever damages result. While nobody can argue that a car will not cause a lot more property damage than a bicycle can if the two get in a collision, the proliferation of molded plastic body panels in modern automotive manufacturing makes it where even a small amount of damage can cause thousands of dollars in repair bills. This is one of the reasons that there are movements in many areas to require bicycle riders to be registered, insured, and licensed to operate on the public roadways.

Insurance Options

Insurance for bicyclists generally breaks down into three categories:

● Medical insurance for the rider
● Uninsured motorist coverage
● Liability insurance

There are companies that offer bicycle-specific insurance policies, but these are uncommon in the United States at this time. Certain insurance policies you already have may cover certain things to some extent. A standard automotive insurance policy UIM rider may cover the insured when they are on a bicycle, and many homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies will cover the insured for liability instances up to established policy limits. Regardless of if you get your insurance through a specific bicyclist policy or through riders on other insurance policies, it is important to make sure that you are properly insured to protect yourself from whatever eventualities we all hope will never occur.

Illinois Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or somebody you know has been hurt in a bicycle accident you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your expenses, injuries, and suffering. The experienced and compassionate attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group will work with you to determine the best way to handle your personal injury claim. Contact us to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today.

DLG Settles with Durable Medical Equipment Company!

October 16, 2015/in Blog, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

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Newsletter Archive | Our Video | Verdicts & Settlements| Practice Areas

Dinizulu Law Group Settles Wrongful Death Suit for $1.6M

The attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd recently partially settled a Wrongful Death lawsuit against a Durable Medical Equipment company for $1.65 million. The case is still ongoing against Ingalls Hospital and the physicians that discharged him improperly.

Sixty-six year old Brian Jackson, a married father of 6 adult children, was admitted to Ingalls hospital on March 18, 2009 with past cardiac disease and decreased respiratory function. Jackson underwent heart valve replacement surgery while at the hospital.

Jackson was in need of oxygen for survival upon discharge and was given an “Easy Pulse 5” portable oxygen tank with a conserver device on it by a Durable Medical Equipment company. It was delivered by a vendor selected by Ingalls Hospital. Our attorneys were able to uncover that this conserver device sat in the driver’s trunk for 11 days.

This is incredibly important because unlike a continuous flow oxygen tank that Jackson had been using, he was instead given an oxygen tank that had a “conserver device” on it. Unlike a “continuous flow” device, oxygen on a conserver device delivers oxygen by “intermittent flow,” or discharges oxygen only when the patient inhales. This can drastically effect oxygen saturation levels in a manner that is different and lesser than, continuous flow oxygen delivery systems.

The conserver device used by the Durable Medical Equipment is also known as a “pneumatic device”. This means that unlike other temporary oxygen devices on the market, the device does not run electronically from an outside power source. Instead, the tank is literally always “on.” As a result, this self-powering device is always losing psi (or the amount of life sustaining air in the portable oxygen device) because it is always “venting,” even when not in use.

It is as if, instead of being able to turn off your car while in the garage, the car ran all the time. If the car is left in the garage long enough, the tank runs out of gas. The same is true of the device at issue here; if left inert too long, the product vents psi and the tank becomes empty.

In this case, this means that over the 11 day period before it was given to Jackson, the tank would’ve been depleting. The loss of “psi” or depletion of air supply is a point that the Durable Medical Device company and Ingalls Hospital through their agents and contractors failed to identify and was in violation of the applicable procedures and standards of care in the industry.

From Jackson’s initial hospital discharge to arriving home, approximately 40-45 minutes had elapsed.

Durable Medical Equipment was the entity that was to also deliver the home oxygen (i.e., large tanks that provided continuous flow oxygen and that were not equipped with conserver devices) to Jackson after he arrived home. At approximately 6:50 p.m. —to 7:00 p.m., Jackson started to feel hot. He took off his shirt and was fanned by a family member. Jackson had complained about being hot in the past, so this was not surprising to the family.

Minutes later, Jackson began to have difficulty breathing. He complained that the tank was empty and then began to make sounds like he was having an asthma attack .

The family called the EMT. According to the EMT report, the EMT arrived at the house six minutes later, at 7:12 p.m., and Jackson was taken back to Ingalls Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

This was a tragic death that should have never happened. While this settlement will never bring back Mr. Jackson to his family, it will help them heal by knowing those responsible for his death are being held accountable.

Issue: Setpember 2015

DLG-harvey-rape-kit-case-in-the-news

October 16, 2015/in Blog, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

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Newsletter Archive | Our Video | Verdicts & Settlements| Practice Areas

Dinizulu Law Group settles landmark case for rape victims after more than a decade of neglect

The attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group have won a landmark victory for rape victims in the Chicago area after it was discovered a police department had been routinely mishandling rape investigations for years.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-harvey-rape-lawsuit-met-20150818-story.html

Seven women filed lawsuits in federal court against the city’s police department and former chief, alleging police at times failed to take basic reports, submit rape kit evidence or arrest suspects implicated by evidence.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/08/19/harvey-settles-lawsuit-over-mishandled-rape-cases/

In one particularly horrible case, an alleged lapse by police allowed a Cook County correctional officer continue to molest his stepdaughter for years. That man is now behind bars.

http://wgntv.com/2015/08/18/harvey-settles-lawsuits-over-failure-to-test-rape-kits/

The victory resulted in a settlement for the victims and reforms at the city’s police department. The suburb is required to boost training of police officers in how to handle sexual assaults as well as how to properly report statistics to the state police.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/18/harvey-settles-lawsuits-over-failure-to-test-rape-/

Click here to see Yao Dinizulu speaking about the case on Fox 32 Chicago News:

https://dinizululawgroup.com/dinizulu_law_in_the_news/about-us-2/

Issue: Setpember 2015

Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres 2015

September 16, 2015/in Blog, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

YOU’RE INVITED

THURSDAY,

OCTOBER 1ST, 2015

5:00 – 9:00pm

221 N. LASALLE,

SUITE 1100,

CHICAGO, IL 60601

~ by reservation only ~

Click Here to RSVP

Dear Friends,

It’s that time of year when we stop what we’re doing here at the Dinizulu Law Group and take time out to thank our supporters.

We say this a lot, and we really mean it: we wouldn’t be where we are if it wasn’t for you. This year is particularly special as we will be celebrating three major new victories for the firm and our clients.

So because of our deep gratitude for your continuous support over the years, we invite you to our 8th annual Community and Client Appreciation Reception.

It will take place on Thursday, October 1st from 5:00 to 9:00p.m. at our office at 221 N. LaSalle, Suite 1100.

We’ll provide drinks, appetizers, dessert, and a champagne toast.

RSVP by clicking the button below or by emailing sstevens@dinizululawgroup.com.

Again, from the bottom of our hearts, Thank You for being a supporter. We hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Yao O. Dinizulu, Esq.

Phone: 312.384.1920 | Email: Dinzulu@dinzululawgroup.com

Harvey Settles Lawsuits Over Failure to Test Rape Kits

August 21, 2015/in Media, News, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

HARVEY, Ill. — A Chicago suburb whose police department mishandled years of rape investigations has settled lawsuits seeking damages for the shortcomings.

Seven women filed lawsuits in federal court against Harvey’s police department and former chief Andrew Joshua, alleging the failure to submit rape kits for testing violated their constitutional rights to due process and equal protection.

In one case, an alleged lapse by Harvey police allowed a Cook County correctional officer continue to molest his stepdaughter for years. Harvey agreed to pay $1.2 million to that victim. A second case, involving two women, was settled for $241,250. The figures for a third case weren’t released.

Harvey spokesman Sean Howard said in a statement Tuesday the suburb was hopeful the settlements will bring “some closure and comfort” to the victims.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Law and Social Networking

August 20, 2015/in Blog, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Originally Written in 2010 reposted in 2015

With the rise of social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook, it was only a matter of time before lawyers started using these networks. The latest social network Twitter, allows users to post 2 sentence status updates. Recent statistics show that there are more that six million Twitter users and in the average day, there are more than 225 million tweets.

Dinizulu Law Group attorney Erin K. Russell, Esq. was recently mentioned in the July 2010 edition of Chicago Lawyer. The article ” Lawyers enter the Twitterverse” touches on several Chicago lawyers making use of Twitter for marketing, and for their own personal lives.

According to Gina F. Rubel Esq, President and CEO of Furia Rubel Communications INC “Twitter is certainly a useful tool and an excellent way to expand your network, build your reputation, comment on legal issues and trends, and establish a relationship with members of the media and other thought leaders. It is also an excellent tool for you to research public opinion on many different topics.”

Experts have warned to be careful for lawyers to not give out legal advice, and to remind everyone that Twitter and Facebook are subject to public scrutiny.

You can follow us on Twitter @dinizululaw

Check out these sites for more information on twitter and legal marketing

Victims, statistics show serious deficiencies in Harvey police work

February 7, 2014/in News, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

On an oil-stained blacktop beside a Harvey convenience store, someone shot and killed 20-year-old trade student Tommy Lee in his car. Five years later, his parents still have the sedan, two bullet holes rusting in the hood and fender. They also have file folders documenting years of letdown in their pursuit of Tommy’s killer. Sitting around the kitchen table in a suburban split-level, they say Harvey police lied to them, yelled at them and made them feel like a bother. A state police agent who reviewed the case told the Tribune that Harvey’s handling of the investigation was a “travesty.”

SPECIAL REPORT: Rule 14: How Police Lies Change Lives

December 7, 2013/in News, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Kentrell Reese grew up in Roseland. He was an honor student at Gillespie Elementary.

“Chicke” — that’s what his mom called him — played basketball, ran track and had a knack for cutting hair. Ever since he was a kid, he wanted to open his own barbershop.

Chicago Police Officer Michael Pettis is a South Side guy, too. He graduated from Leo Catholic High School, Class of 1987.

click here to read the article

1 dead, 3 injured in crash on the Dan Ryan

November 7, 2013/in News, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

One person was killed and three others were injured in a crash near 85th Street on the Dan Ryan Expressway as at least four other accidents slowed South Side traffic during the morning commute, authorities said. One of the injured was a child, who was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital. Three adults were taken in serious-to-critical condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to authorities. The Cook County medical examiner’s office said one of the injured later died but had no other information. The accident happened about 5 a.m. Other crashes were reported in the inbound lanes at 43rd Street, 47th Street, 63rd Street and on Interstate 57 at Wentworth Avenue. One person was injured in the 43rd Street crash, and the driver of a semi that caught fire on I-57 suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

click here to read the article