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CHICAGO, IL – When people think of nursing home abuse, it’s not just limited to physical abuse. Nursing home abuse also includes neglecting residents’ medical needs. When placing your loved one in a nursing home, you expect that they will receive the medical care that they need and deserve. Nursing homes have the legal responsibility to ensure that the environment is safe and secure, and that their services promote each resident’s health and well-being.

Understanding Medical Neglect

Medical neglect occurs when those who are charged with the care of a nursing home resident violate the standard of care that is owed to each resident. Many residents rely on nursing home staff for their daily care, such as administering medication, feeding, bathing, and more.

Examples of medical neglect in a nursing home may include:

• Ignoring complaints of pain, illness, abuse, or another mistreatment
• Failing to provide the proper medication dose, at the right time
• Insufficient care to prevent bedsores, broken bones, head injuries, or infections
• Failing to obtain informed consent before a medical test or procedure
• Refusal to order or perform tests to diagnose a resident’s symptoms
• Inadequate support for cognitive disability or mental illness
• Withholding mobility aids, adaptive devices, indwelling devices, or other equipment the resident requires

If you suspect your loved one is a victim of medical neglect, please reach out to one of our experienced nursing home abuse lawyers as soon as possible.

Receiving Compensation for Medical Neglect

Medical neglect can leave lingering effects on the mental and physical well-being of a nursing home resident. Compensation for such negligence can help pay for medical expenses, mobility and adaptive equipment, counseling, and other financial losses. In some cases, the nursing home resident and their family may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, too.

Nursing home owners, administrators, and staff should be held accountable when the standard of care is not met.

Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

The experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group can help you! We know this can be a painful and stressful experience for victims and we are here to help you. Call our office today for a free consultation at (312) 384-1920.

Nursing homes in Illinois are required to meet certain standards to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents are not put in jeopardy. Unfortunately, not all homes take the necessary steps to meet them. The Quad-City Times recently reported that multiple nursing homes within the state were cited by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and fined for serious violations, one of which led to the death of a 62-year-old male resident.

According to the news source, the resident suffered from “anxiety, schizophrenia, and dementia,” and was also “susceptible to choking.” Because of this, the facility placed him on a diet that consisted of “thin liquids and cut up meat.” The home also had to take additional precautions with the resident when they learned that he “shoved food in his mouth.” 

Staffers required that the resident eat his meals at a feeder table while being supervised. He was also not permitted to eat bread unless it was cut up and moistened. 

Aspen Rehab and Healthcare Fined $25,000 Over the Death of a Male Resident

While the male resident lived at Aspen Rehab and Healthcare, multiple incidents were recorded where he choked on his food. The final incident that led to the male’s death occurred after a certified nursing assistant (CNA) delivered to his room a tuna melt and left. The nurse confirmed that the bread was not wet but also that he/she was unaware that there were special instructions that needed to be followed.

The CNA stated that they had been working at the facility for about a month and were never told that the resident shoved food in his mouth or needed to have his food prepared a certain way. Sometime after the food was delivered to the resident, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) “observed the resident choking and had turned grayish in color.” 

Staffers attempted to save the man by performing abdominal thrusts and a police officer who later arrived performed CPR and used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Unfortunately, the man could not be saved.

Generations at Rock Island Cited and Fined $52,200 for Abuse and Neglect 

Another nursing home in Illinois was cited for 15 licensure violations and fined $52,200 after three residents were allegedly abused and neglected. One of the residents, a female who was admitted into the home in December 2019, shared with IDPH investigators that on September 1, 2020, she was unable to make it to a dialysis appointment because “there was not enough staff or a sling to help her get out of bed.”

The resident also told investigators that she had only been bathed three times since her arrival and that she believed that it had been a few months since her hair was washed. She also complained of bedsores she had developed that had not been properly treated.

Resident Undergoes Leg Amputation After Nursing Home Staffers Neglect to Care for Her Wounds

According to the news source, another resident had to have her right lower leg amputated shortly after arriving at Generations at Rock Island. The woman was admitted on April 2, 2020, with “diabetic foot ulcers on both heels and her right ankle.” The resident was not seen by a “wound nurse until April 13^th and was not evaluated by wound consultant services until June 30^th. 

The source also shared that the woman was not seen by a podiatrist until August 18^th. Because the resident’s wounds were neglected, they worsened which then led to her leg being amputated.

What rights does a family have when their loved one is abused or neglected by nursing home staffers? 

When a nursing home resident is abused or neglected, the home and the negligent staffer can be held accountable for their actions. While many cases of neglect are caused by understaffing, this is not a valid excuse for a residents’ needs being ignored. If you believe your family member is a victim of abuse or neglect, the Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are here to help you and your family understand your rights.

Our nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys can help you recognize a home and/or staffer for causing your loved one harm and even assist you with taking legal action should you have the grounds to sue. If your loved one is entitled to damages (i.e. financial relief), we will help you fight for a fair and favorable outcome. Additionally, we will explore whether criminal charges need to be filed if your loved one was physically harmed or intentionally neglected. 

If you would like to schedule a time to discuss your issues with a skilled Chicago, IL nursing home neglect attorney, contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 1-312-384-1920.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:
221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 1-312-384-1920
Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

Chicago, IL—Memory loss is something many aging individuals experience. Some develop the condition naturally while others experience it after being diagnosed with dementia or some form of it. While memory loss might be a concern for you and your loved ones, it isn’t necessarily a sign that you should move your loved one into a nursing home right away.

The fact is, if an aging individual is still able to recall certain events or is aware of his/her behavior, then they might benefit from assistance, not around-the-clock supervision. However, if their memory loss puts them at risk of getting hurt, then it may be time to consider the options that are available.

If you believe your loved one is suffering from memory loss, you are encouraged to read on below to learn about the early signs of memory loss and when you should consider hiring help or moving your loved one into a long-term care facility.

Early Signs of Memory Loss

With age, many find that they become more forgetful or aren’t able to recollect specific details about something from the past. While this isn’t necessarily a sign that someone is experiencing memory loss, the following signs are¹:

• Forgetting commonly used words.
• Asking the same questions over and over.
• Getting lost while out walking or when going out for a drive.
• Misplacing items by putting them in odd places.
• Mood swings or changes in behavior without a reason.
• Taking a long time to complete familiar tasks.

When an individual begins to display any of the signs mentioned above, this could be a sign of dementia. Dementia is “a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.”² According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is “the most common cause of dementia.”

When to Consider Hiring Help or Moving a Loved one into a nursing home

For some families, hiring help or relocating a loved one to a long-term care facility is not an option as they would prefer to provide their relatives with the assistance they need. For others who are unable to devote the time needed to monitor and care for a loved one who suffers from memory loss, long-term care might be their only option.

If you have begun to notice any of these signs, this might be an indicator that your loved one needs around-the-clock care.

• They need help with basic day-to-day tasks. 
• Your relative has wandered out of their home more than once.
• Your relative experiences serious changes in mood that have you worried about their wellbeing while living alone.
• Your relative no longer recognizes familiar faces, sometimes even yours.

When family members have begun to notice that their loved one struggles from memory loss, they should consider having them evaluated by a medical professional. 

What are the risks associated with moving a relative with memory loss into a nursing home in Chicago?

Although nursing homes do serve as a place for aging individuals to go and live when they can no longer care for themselves, there is some risk associated with moving a relative into one. Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s are “at a greater risk of abuse,” and therefore, you need to be sure you research multiple homes before making your selection.³

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has an online nursing home compare tool that allows you to look up nursing homes in your preferred area. Not only will the online tool identify homes that have been cited for abuse, but it will also provide detailed information about the most recent inspections that were conducted in a home.

Families are encouraged to use the online tool along with other resources to assist with the decision-making process.

Is there anything family members can do to prevent nursing home abuse?

While abuse can occur in any long-term care setting, there are some steps you can take to help reduce the chances of your aging loved becoming yet another victim. These include:

• Take your time in choosing a nursing home. As previously mentioned, you should read reviews, visit homes, and conduct extensive research before settling on a nursing home for your loved one.
• Visit them regularly. Once your loved one is moved into a facility, you should visit with your loved one on a regular basis. This way, you can look for any physical or emotional signs that something might be wrong.
• Identify issues and report them. If you notice something isn’t right or the facility appears to be understaffed, bring this to the attention of an administrator.

In the event you ever encounter an issue or believe your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, don’t wait to contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. Our team of dedicated Chicago, IL nursing home abuse lawyers will be happy to sit down with you to determine what can be done to rectify the problem. If your loved one has been abused, you can rest assured that our Chicago nursing home abuse law firm will fight to protect their rights.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

Chicago, IL—Nursing home residents have the right to live in a facility that is free from abuse and neglect. All staffers, including aides, nurses, physicians, etc. are all expected to provide residents with the respect and care they need and deserve and should never subject them to any sort of treatment that could cause them to suffer physically or psychologically. 

If a nursing home staffer abuses a resident, whether it is physical abuse or psychological abuse, they need to be held accountable for their behavior. So, how is this done?

Reporting a Case of Physical Abuse

If you recently found out that your loved one was physically abused by a nursing home worker in Chicago, IL, the incident should be reported to the appropriate agencies so that an investigation can be done, and disciplinary action can be taken. One of the agencies that should be contacted to file a report is your local law enforcement agency. 

Who is required to make the report?

Under Illinois law, a nursing home administrator or other staff member is expected to notify the appropriate agencies of the alleged abuse once they are made aware of it. If they don’t, you might want to consult with a nursing home abuse lawyer in Chicago who can help you file the report yourself. While nursing home administrators or others who hold a managerial position are required to report nursing home abuse allegations immediately, so are other staff members.

When a staff member witnesses a nursing home resident being abused, they are expected to report the incident to an administrator so the appropriate action can be taken. They can sometimes even file an incident report anonymously if they find that their facility administrators aren’t taken the proper action. 

Once abuse allegations are reported, certain agencies, including your local enforcement agency, should take immediate action to determine if the claims being made are valid as well as how the situation should be addressed. 

When Evidence Suggests a Nursing Home Staff Member Abused a Resident

If a nursing home worker is guilty of abusing a resident, they could be criminally charged and/or be required to pay the victim damages for the harm they inflicted upon them. The criminal charges a nursing home employee might face depend upon the nature of the crime. For example, if an individual is guilty of criminal abuse of an elderly individual (i.e. a person who is age 60 or older) or person with a disability when serving as their caregiver, they are guilty of a Class 3 felony.¹

A person who is charged with a Class 3 felony in Illinois shall face fines, jail time, and other penalties depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

Nursing Home Worker Charged for Slapping 90-Year-Old Resident

A certified nurse aide was arrested in New York on November 25, 2019, after she was accused of slapping a resident in the face with a wet cloth.² The 90-year-old victim allegedly suffered bruising and was admitted to an area hospital for treatment. The aide, who worked at Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, was charged with “endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person in the second degree.”

The aide is no longer employed by the facility and the criminal charges that were filed against her are currently pending. Two other nurse aides who witnessed the incident also faced disciplinary action after they failed to report the abuse. The source says they were suspended from their duties.

The long-term care facility was also required to pay $10,000 in fines to settle charges for “failing to protect a resident from a physically abusive employee.”

If Your Loved One Was Physically Abused by a Nursing Home Staffer in Chicago, Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. is Here to Help

After finding out that your loved one was physically harmed by a person who was expected to care for them, you may not know what to do or who to contact for help. While you might be feeling frustrated and angry, it is important for you to understand that you and your loved one aren’t alone.

At Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., our team of skilled Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys will help you and your loved one understand your rights and how they can be exercised. We will review with you what can be some to ensure justice is served and the individual who inflicted the harm is punished for their behavior.

If you would like to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer to discuss the recent incident that occurred, simply contact our office at 1-312-384-1920 and we will be happy to set this up.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

Sources:

1. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=093-0301&GA=93 
2. https://www.syracuse.com/health/2021/06/syracuse-nursing-home-fined-after-aide-accused-of-slapping-90-year-old-residents-face.html 

Chicago, IL—Fractures are often sustained as a result of an accident such as a car crash or fall. Unfortunately, older individuals are more likely to fall and suffer a fracture due to the “normal changes of aging.”¹ Poor eyesight and difficulty hearing are only two of several factors that put older adults at a higher risk of falling, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

If your loved one recently fell and sustained a fracture while being cared for by nursing home staff members and you believe their accident could have been prevented, you should consider contacting Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. to speak with a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney. If neglect or abuse played a role in causing your loved one to sustain a fracture, they may be entitled to recover compensation for their pain and suffering.

Addressing a Fracture Sustained in a Nursing Home

Older adults who rely on nursing home staff for care and supervision should be monitored regularly and provided with the assistance they need to safely get around. When a resident is left to maneuver alone when they require assistance, there is a good chance they could fall and suffer a fracture. Nursing home residents are also likely to sustain a fracture when staff members are rough with them or become aggressive. 

If you suspect that a nursing home staff member played a role in causing your loved one to suffer a fracture, you are encouraged to seek legal advice from a Chicago, IL nursing home abuse lawyer to ensure you address the matter properly. A nursing home abuse attorney will not only be able to determine if you have a valid case, but they may also be able to help get your loved one relocated or placed under the care of a different set of staff members.

Why do fractures happen in nursing homes?

A fracture can be sustained accidentally or as a result of negligence or mistreatment. Some of the potential reasons for why fractures are sustained in nursing homes include:  

• A resident loses their balance and falls while walking around the facility.
• A resident attempts to get in or out of bed alone or move around without assistance as their call for help goes ignored.
• A resident is moved violently from their bed to a chair or vice versa.
• A resident who requires help with bathing is left to shower on their own or without certain devices such as handrails.

While there are plenty of types of fractures that can be sustained, hip fractures tend to one of the more serious types, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hip fractures are often more difficult to recover from, according to the CDC, and can lead to an individual becoming immobile which can cause them to suffer from any of the following conditions²:

• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Urinary tract infections
• Death
• Loss of muscle mass
• Pneumonia
• Bedsores 

When an older adult suffers a hip fracture, they may need to undergo surgery to repair the break and/or may need to attend rehabilitation. If your loved one suffered a hip fracture as a result of abuse or neglect and you are looking to hold the nursing home financially liable for your loved one’s medical expenses and pain and suffering, a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney can help you.

In order to recover any amount of compensation from a nursing home, you will be expected to provide proof that it was one or more staff members’ negligence or act of misconduct that caused them to suffer a fracture. Fortunately, the nursing home abuse lawyers at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. have a great deal of experience in this particular field of law and can help you.

What can a Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorney do for you and your loved one after they suffer a fracture?

The lawyers at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. will first assess your loved one’s case to determine if you have a valid claim. If so, we can then explore the legal options that are available to you. This might include pursuing the facility for compensation or filing a lawsuit against the nursing home. Sometimes, when a nursing home is accused of abuse or neglect, they may try and work with the victim to resolve the issue outside of the courtroom.

However, if you have a viable case and a resolution cannot be reached, you may need to consider getting the court involved. Thankfully, you won’t have to make this decision on your own as our skilled lawyers will be there to assist you with the type of action you choose to take.

If you think your loved one’s fracture wasn’t an accident and instead, was caused by an act of abuse or neglect, contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. to discuss the incident with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer in Chicago.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

Sources:

• https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2173.html 
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hip-fracture/symptoms-causes/syc-20373468