Nursing homes are expected to maintain a certain level of cleanliness not only because residents deserve to live in a facility that is sanitary and clean, but also because unsanitary conditions promote the spread of bacteria and infections. Unfortunately, not all workers in these facilities recognize how serious it is to maintain a healthy level of sanitation.
If your loved one is currently living in a facility in Chicago that appears to be unsanitary or you have noticed certain measures not being implemented by staff members that aim to prevent the spread of germs and infections, there are a few ways you can address the issue.
- Report your findings to the administrative team.
A nursing home resident’s health and safety and two very important things that should never be put in jeopardy. If a nursing home resident is put at risk of contracting a deadly virus or an infection simply because staff members aren’t being cautious or cleaning up behind themselves or the residents they care for, this should be brought to the administrative team’s attention.
If nursing home workers aren’t implementing certain measures to help keep residents healthy and well, they could be accused of being neglectful. Residents who aren’t provided with the care and attention they are expected to receive may be a victim of neglect. Nursing homes that promote neglectful behavior or fail to intervene after an incident has been reported can be held financially liable for causing a resident to suffer from one or more health conditions.
- Report the issue to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
There are many different public and private agencies that regulate and inspect nursing homes in Illinois, the IDPH being one of them. The agency is responsible for conducting on-site inspections to ensure nursing homes are in compliance with mandatory state regulations. If a home is found to have a deficiency, the facility can rebut the allegations. However, if the home ends up being cited, it will be given 10 days, according to the IDPH to “submit a written plan of correction” that details “how and when each deficiency will be corrected.”
How to report a nursing home to the IDPH?
Because the IDPH is responsible for investigating complaints involving a lack of infection control, you can file a health care complaint with the agency if you feel the home is putting their residents’ health and safety at risk and aren’t doing anything to correct the issue. To file a complaint with the IDPH, you will need to either submit a Healthcare Facilities Complaint Form via mail or fax or call the agency at 800-252-4343.
The complaint form along with the agency’s mailing address and fax number can be accessed by clicking here.
When should I contact a Chicago, IL nursing home neglect lawyer?
The nursing home neglect attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are always here to answer your questions and address your concerns. Therefore, you can contact us anytime you feel there is an issue that is putting your loved one at risk. We also advise that you contact us if your loved one has been the victim of abuse or the neglect they have been subjected to has caused them to experience adverse effects.
What can a Chicago nursing home neglect attorney do for me?
Nursing homes are required to meet certain state and federal standards as well as respect a resident’s rights. Facilities that fail to meet these standards and cause a resident to suffer can be sued for damages. For example, let’s say your loved one was exposed to a deadly virus as a result of staff members being neglectful and their health declined as a result. They had to undergo medical treatment and later passed away. Because their decline in health along with their death could have potentially been avoided, the facility could be held financially liable for them passing away.
A facility might also be held accountable for the pain and suffering a resident experienced as a result of workers failing to implement an effective infection control plan.
When a nursing home fails to meet certain standards or becomes lax and allows the facility to become unsanitary, a nursing home abuse lawyer will look to see if one or more employees’ actions are responsible for causing your loved one to suffer. If a connection can be made, you may have the grounds to file a civil lawsuit and request that your loved one being awarded compensation.
The Chicago Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. Will Walk You Through the Lawsuit Process
If we determine you have a viable case against a nursing home in Chicago, you can rest assured that we will help you through each phase of the lawsuit process. In fact, you can count on us to handle most of the work for you. Learning that a loved one is being neglected is never easy to digest, but there are ways to address the issue and even obtain justice for the pain and suffering a facility has caused your loved one to experience.
If you are interested in receiving a free consultation to learn more about how our firm may be able to help you, contact us today 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
