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How is Your Loved One’s Health Monitored in a Nursing Home?

May 25, 2018/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

When you place your elderly loved one in a nursing home, chances are they have medical conditions that need to be consistently monitored. How does a nursing home watch over your loved one? From managing medications and diet to monitoring new health challenges, how are these needs met? Watch the video to learn more.

A nursing home supports an infrastructure of medical professionals, ranging from dieticians, therapists, and nurses and doctors. Together, they manage and administer your loved one’s diet, medicine, and the needed medical tests. Whether a patient has hypothyroidism, anemia, diabetes, Alzheimer’s or other serious medical conditions, the nursing home must facilitate the management of the medical care of your loved one. If they took your mom as their resident, they are asserting that they can manage the care appropriately for your loved one.

This only works if each member of the nursing home staff communicates with each other. For example, if the nurse does an assessment of a nursing resident, and observes a change in status, while often times she must not act alone, she must communicate this to the applicable doctor, dietician or specialized provider. The nurses are the eyes and ears of the doctors and the medical facility like a nursing home.

All this information is communicated across various levels of staff and different departments of the nursing home through verbal orders and patient charts. To effectively care for all their residents, a nursing home must have policies in place that require detailed documentation and clear channels of communication along with the appropriate guidelines for managing that care.

As a nursing home neglect attorney, I cannot tell you how many lives are lost due to these communication mistakes. If the nurse is overworked or overwhelmed like many are due to working in understaffed nursing homes, chances are he or she may forget to appropriately communicate to all of the providers. In such a case, the resident’s condition would go on untreated. For our elderly loved ones, this is a recipe for disaster. Nursing homes often make a deliberate choice to underhire staff to save expenses.

But you should know that if you or your loved one has been hurt due to a untreated condition, there are options for you. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. has helped many people get justice when they are harmed in a nursing home that cuts corners. With over 50 years in combined experience and verdicts and settlements reaching millions, our nursing home neglect lawyers are here to fight for you. Call us at 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW, or reach us by email.

You can also find more informational videos regarding nursing home neglect and injury matters from our nursing home abuse attorneys on our media page.

Who is Responsible for a Truck Accident?

May 11, 2018/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

If you were hit by a truck on the road, you might simply think that it was the truck driver who lost control and hit you and your vehicle. But the cause of your accident may be more complex and there may be much to uncover. Watch the video to learn more.

When a truck crash happens, a knowledgeable truck accident attorney will examine the many factors involved that resulted in the injury to you. The right attorney will ask you and the other parties certain questions to make sure that no stone is left unturned.

The proper attorney may involve the truck driver: Remember, the truck driver may have made an individual driving decision that was dangerous. Your injury could have been caused by distracted driving or speeding by the truck driver.

The attorney may involve the trucking company. The company who owns the truck and employs or contracts a driver must have proper hiring and training protocols in place. An attorney may uncover gaps in the truck company’s hiring and/or training practices, or may find that a trucking company is pressuring its drivers to work beyond their regulated hours. The attorney is also able to uncover whether a company is properly inspecting and maintaining its trucks.

Suppose the truck driver and trucking company did everything they could to ensure safety of those on the roadways. The crash could still have been caused by faulty parts. Defects in manufacturing or maintenance of brakes or chassis pins can sometimes be detected during a driver’s pre-truck inspection, but that’s not always the case. In that case, your attorney may involve the entities responsible for manufacturing the truck or its parts, or those responsible for maintaining the truck in your suit.

Furthermore, cargo companies are often responsible for securing a truck load. If an accident happens due to shifting cargo, your attorney can investigate if the cargo was secured based on industry practices.

To get to the root cause of your accident injury, your attorney must fully understand all the tools that are at his or her disposal during a case investigation. A knowledgeable and experienced attorney will be able to identify all the causes leading to your injuries. Your full recovery is easier to accomplish when you are using attorneys who fully understand all the steps of litigation and arbitration.

At the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. our trucking accident trial attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience that we put to test every day. Call us at 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW with your questions and concerns, or reach us by email. Our verdicts and settlements have helped many clients facing an uncertain time in their lives arrive at a place of relief and stability.

Los Inmigrantes Deben Ejercer Sus Derechos Cuando Están Lesionados

April 27, 2018/in Blog, Premise Liability/by Yao Dinizulu

Al igual que muchos inmigrantes, María Belmonte, vino a este país y trabajó duro y crió a su familia aquí. Pero cuando se sintió lastimada por la negligencia de otra persona, no estaba segura de a quién recurrir. Ella estaba sin trabajo, tenía facturas médicas y necesitaba a alguien con quien pudiera hablar cómodamente en su idioma nativo español. Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. dio un paso al frente, brindó asistencia en español a María y le explicó cuáles eran sus derechos en este país. Mira el video para aprender mas.

María se lesionó mientras visitaba a su madre. En el patio trasero de su madre, el propietario tenía la tapa de alcantarilla que no estaba asegurada. María cayó en la boca de acceso, fracturándose el tobillo. Ella necesitaba cirugía y cinco meses de terapia física.

Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. ayudó a María a obtener una compensación justa por sus lesiones. Todas sus facturas médicas fueron pagadas y María sintió que podía recuperar su vida.

Nadie que se lastime y sufre debido a la culpa de los demás debe sentirse solo, independientemente del idioma que hable o de su país de origen. Siempre proporcionaremos asistencia en idioma español si la necesita. Nuestros abogados tienen más de 50 años de experiencia legal combinada y la probamos todos los días luchando por usted. Póngase en contacto con Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. por correo electrónico o llámenos al 1-312-384-1920 o al 1-800-693-1LAW. Somos abogados especialistas en lesiones personales en Chicago que están a su disposición. También encontrará más historias como las de María y discusiones sobre otros temas de lesiones en nuestra página de medios.

Immigrants Must Exercise Their Rights When Injured

Like many immigrants, Maria Belmonte came to this country and worked hard and raised her family here. But when she was hurt due to the negligence of another she wasn’t sure who she could turn to. She was out of work, had medical bills, and needed someone who she could talk to comfortably in her native language, Spanish. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. stepped up, provided Spanish-language assistance to Maria, and explained to her what her rights were in this country. Watch the video to learn more.

Maria was injured while visiting her mother. In her mother’s backyard, the landlord had a manhole that was not properly secured. Maria fell into the manhole, fracturing her ankle and she needed surgery and five months of physical therapy.

The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. helped Maria get fair compensation for her injuries. All her medical bills were paid and Maria felt she was able to get her life back.

No one who is injured and suffering due to the fault of others should feel like they are alone, regardless of the language they speak or their country of origin. We will always provide Spanish language assistance should you need it. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have over 50 years of combined legal experience that we put to the test everyday to get you the results you deserve. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW, or reach us by email. We are personal injury trial attorneys in Chicago that are here for you. You will also find more stories like Maria’s and discussions on further injury topics on our media page.

Aging Pastor Neglected by His Nursing Home Caregivers

December 22, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse, nursing home neglect, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Robert, an aging pastor, who lived a life of service and put others first, was neglected by his care providers in an Illinois nursing home.

Robert was admitted into a nursing home with severe illnesses that required 24-hour care. Robert suffered from Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and dysphasia, among other medical conditions. Dysphasia causes one to have trouble swallowing food and therefore, the person must be monitored closely to ensure proper digestion. Failure to monitor this food intake can cause the person to choke or aspirate, meaning the food gets stuck in the throat or lung. Because of these risks, Robert should never be allowed to eat alone. What did the nursing home do to monitor these health concerns? Watch the video to learn more.

Just a few weeks after being admitted, a care giver at the nursing home noticed Robert was eating poorly and pocketing food. This is critical because since Robert was pocketing food, he could later eat that food while he wasn’t being watched and could suffocate as a result. The caregiver did absolutely nothing after noticing that Robert was pocketing food, like alerting the doctor or the head nurse.

After a few days, Robert was found to be lethargic with concealed food on him. He developed a cough and congestion, had labored breathing, and a fever. These symptoms worsened.

Finally, the nursing home sent Robert to a hospital. Only after going to the hospital was Robert diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. You see, Robert had likely ingested the pocketed food that became lodged in his lung, causing the aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia happens when substances, such as gastric contents, are inhaled into the lungs. This also creates a bacterial infection in the lung, leading to aspiration pneumonia.

Robert was a total-assist resident, meaning he needed to be fed, clothed, and changed. The nursing home ignored these responsibilities even though they fully understood Robert’s physical and mental limitations when they agreed to admit him into their facility.

Robert’s wife Michelle contacted the administrators at this nursing home to get them to properly care for Robert. They all made promises, yet the same pattern of unreasonable care continued.

I want all families like Michelle’s and all nursing home residents to know that nursing homes are accountable for the promises they make to you. There are remedies when nursing homes do wrong and cause you harm.

I know you may be watching this video because you probably have questions about your own loved one in a nursing home. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW. We answer questions like yours every day.

What is the Number One Cause of Truck Accidents?

December 22, 2017/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law, Video/by Yao Dinizulu

Driver fatigue is an extremely common problem in the trucking industry. A study done by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found fatigued drivers are the #1 cause of truck collisions.

When these tired and overworked truck drivers cause accidents, as you may know, these are not minor accidents. Car drivers and passengers who are in a collision with a truck are very likely to suffer serious life-long injuries or even death.

There are rules in place to prevent these deadly accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the hours truck drivers can spend on the road per day and per week. Watch the video to learn more.

The law is that truck drivers can work:

A maximum of 70 hrs. in 8 days if their employer operates every single day of the week. If the employer is closed any day of the week, then truck drivers can work up to 60 hrs. in 7 days.
Within these 60 or 70 hrs in about a week, truck drivers must only work a maximum of 14 hrs. per day. Only 11 of these 14 hrs. can be behind the wheel. After a truck driver has driven the maximum of 11 hrs., they must rest for 10 hrs. straight before starting work again.
After working for 8 days or 7 days as per the limit of days that applies to them, truck drivers can only restart work after resting for 34 hrs.

These safety rules were created based on many studies that examined the needs of truck drivers so that they can be alert on the road. They are safety rules that every trucking company should live by to protect us all from danger and mayhem. But many companies force their drivers to skirt these safety rules. Truck companies oftentimes push their drivers to work past the set driving limits in an effort to take shortcuts. This undermines the safety of us all. It creates an environment of fatigued and stressed drivers who are high risks on the road. These exhausted drivers end up injuring not just themselves, but our community members who will suffer more severe and oftentimes irreversible injuries or death.

Truck driver fatigue continues to harm individuals and their families. If you are watching this video because you have your own questions or have a loved one injured due to a fatigued truck driver, you shouldn’t feel alone. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW. We are here to answer all your questions and help you navigate through this difficult time.

Hate Crimes Are Rising Fast. What Can You Do?

December 8, 2017/in Blog, Civil rights law/by Yao Dinizulu

The FBI just released that 2016 was the second year in a row that hate crimes have gone up nationwide. 2017 may be the third.

In Chicago, Illinois, there have been 39 hate crimes just in the first half of 2017. The Police Department has been keeping electronic records of hate crimes since 2012. Since then, Chicago’s on the pace to hit a record high of hate crimes by the end of 2017. This shouldn’t be the pattern the nation or our city should be facing. Want to know how you can fight this disturbing trend? Watch the video to learn more.

Illinois citizens are protected under the state’s hate crime act which states:

Hate crime occurs whether the person who commits it does so by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals.

Effective of Jan 1, 2016 transgendered people are also protected under this law. Gender identity is now a protected provision under sexual orientation. The new law also extends protections to institutions who may be targeted because of sexual orientation or gender identity status.

Because of these protections, I was able to help a lesbian woman Danielle, who was assaulted by an apartment building security guard. The assault took place on the common grounds of Danielle’s girlfriend’s apartment complex. The security guard had continuously harassed the couple because of their lesbian status.

One night while Danielle was sitting on the steps saw alone talking on the phone, the security officer standing over six feet tall and weighing almost 285 pounds approached Danielle who stood 5’1, and weighed a mere 110 pounds. After Danielle asked the security officer to remove the light from her eyes, he turned it off and struck Danielle on her temple with the flashlight, while uttering a gay slur at her.

He later offered a defense that Danielle looked like a boy. Our civil right attorneys in Chicago identified other witnesses who came forward to support this animus the security guard had towards the lesbian community. As a result, this case settled with significant compensation for Danielle.

As hate crime and violent lashing out has become increasingly common, know that there are remedies and legal protections for such wrongful behavior, both criminal and civil. Many times, people don’t come forward because they are not sure whether what happened to them is a hate crime, or people aren’t sure if the law will guarantee them protection. But it always helps to discuss these matters with a professional and experienced civil rights trial attorney.

The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. has won over seven figures for cases involving discrimination & civil rights cases. If you are watching this video because you have your own questions or concerns about hate crime, civil rights or discrimination, call us at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW. Our Chicago-based civil rights lawyers are here for you.

One Foster Child Threatens Another – What Happened Next?

December 8, 2017/in Blog, Media, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Wrongful death action/by Yao Dinizulu

There are thousands of children and young adults livings in independent living environments facilitated by professionals. Many of these children have lost their parents to death and drugs to no fault of their own. These children and young adults have been in foster and group homes — and so many have faced unbearable abuse. When our state funds these foster, group homes and private independent living institutions, we expect that these caretakers are attentive and helpful to the needs of these children and young adults. The providers in this case failed in this sacred duty and were examined by state investigators. Watch the video to learn more.

At this facility, my client Tammy and a fellow resident Barbara didn’t get along. In fact, there was a long history of altercations between the two. One altercation turned violent resulting in the arrest of 17 year old child Barabara. While being arrested in front of her care takers Barbara yelled to Tammy my client, “I’m going to get your key and get you.”

This Barbara had lost a lot in her life and was suffering from mental health illnesses and was on psychotropic medication. Barbara had been deemed by DCFS staff as particularly violent. After three months, Barbara was released from jail.

Then, this unstable minor returned to her independent living community and tricked the manager of this institution into giving Barbara, Tammy’s keys. Barbara this disturbed young child in the middle of the night entered Tammy’s home with this key, grabbed a knife and stabbed Tammy to death.

Tammy’s distraught siblings contacted me. Our Chicago wrongful death attorneys investigated the matter and learned that the independent living institution was to meet Barbara at release, but they did not show up in time. Being concerned, one of the social workers called her manager to inform her that she was concerned for my client Tammy’s safety. You see this social worker witnessed the threat Barbara made to Tammy. We also uncovered that the entire independent living institution should have been aware that a DCFS social worker indicated that Barbara would someday kill someone.

We also were able to prove that the manager that turned over the wrong key, failed to follow the known procedures of checking the room key with the person’s name. Compounding this error, the manager failed to follow-procedure and remove Tammy from the impending danger.

No one should ever have access to your apartment without your consent, especially not a sworn enemy who in front of the police threatened to get you. After uncovering the evidence of institutional failures, this case settled for a significant amount for the death of Tammy.

If you have a question about abuse or neglect in a foster or group home, or in an independent living environment, you may need an experienced wrongful death lawyer or personal injury trial attorney. Based in Chicago, the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. handles these matters all the time. Contact our office at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW.

I Was Assaulted While Celebrating My Engagement

September 18, 2017/in Blog, Civil rights law/by Yao Dinizulu

Pamela Dixon was celebrating her engagement in a public park when suddenly she was assaulted by the park’s security guard. Left injured and confused, she didn’t know what to do. When she contacted the employer of the security guard about the assault, it was as if the incident didn’t happen, and that she didn’t matter.

Pamela wanted justice and wanted the truth to be told. She trusted her friend Attorney Yao Dinizulu to get her the results she deserved. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. investigated and uncovered that this security guard had a pattern of violent behavior. Yet scenario after scenario, she wasn’t terminated.

Before this case, Pamela had also never given a deposition. A deposition is something that’s intimidating for many clients because they have to give a sworn and recorded statement to the opposing counsel who are trying to catch the client say something they can later use against them in the course of trial. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. helped Pamela understand the types of questions that would be asked during a deposition, and prepared her thoroughly for the challenge ahead.

As a result, Pam was able to receive compensation for her pain suffering, medical bills, and most importantly get a closure to the emotional distress that this incident caused. She didn’t want others to go through what she had gone through. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. helped Pamela tell her story and seek justice. That meant something.

Hate crime and violent lashing out has sadly gotten increasingly common. However, there are laws to remedy these wrongs and punish those who violate our nation’s laws. If you believe your civil rights have been infringed upon, contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW or by email. We are here to help. You will also find other stories like Pam’s and more discussions on civil rights and other legal topics on our media page.

Client’s Powerful Testimonial: I Was Hit By A Improperly Loaded Truck on the Highway

September 15, 2017/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

Fletcher McQueen was injured when a driver of a improperly loaded trailer truck carrying a Bobcat skid steer, lost control and crashed into Fletcher’s SUV. Fletcher was hurt, unable to work, and didn’t know who to turn to. Another attorney who Fletcher had known highly recommended Yao Dinizulu and the DLG law firm.

There were days when Fletcher went to bed in severe pain, not knowing what would happen and if he would ever be able to work again and support his family. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. was able to take Fletcher’s case to trial. The jury ruled in favor of Fletcher with a verdict resulting in over one hundred thousand dollars for his pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical bills. The next day, the jury reached an additional verdict of $1 million dollars for punitive damages.

Fletcher testifies how the attorneys and staff of the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. kept him and his family informed about the latest developments in his case. Fletcher always felt there was clear communication coming from the attorneys, paralegals, and the firm’s legal assistants. Fletcher felt prepared and knew what was expected at trial and during his sworn statement.

The trial verdict helped Fletcher and his family move forward after what was a very difficult chapter in their lives. Fletcher felt like he was finally able to get his life back.

No one who is injured and suffering due to the fault of others should feel like they are alone. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW, or by email. We are truck accident attorneys in Chicago that are here to help.

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.