Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer | Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd

What are some signs that might indicate bed bugs and other insects are living in my loved one’s nursing home?

September 25, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

Nursing homes in Illinois and all across the U.S. are required to meet certain state and federal standards that stipulate the type of environment a home is expected to provide its residents with. Not only must the facility be kept clean and tidy, but it should also be sanitary so viruses and diseases have nothing to feed off of and bed bugs and other insects don’t have an environment that is conducive for them to survive in. Unfortunately, there are facilities that aren’t being maintained which results in the home becoming hazardous and unhealthy for the residents who are living there.

Vietnam Vet Dies Days After Being Bit by Ants More Than 100 Times

After Laquna Ross went to visit her father Joel Marrable at the Eagle’s Nest Community Living Center, which is a nursing home for veterans located on the Atlanta VA Medical Center campus, she noticed something rather concerning. Her father, who was an Air Force veteran, had swollen hands and his body had red bumps all over it, says ABC News. Obviously, Ross was alarmed to see her father like this as it wasn’t how he looked the last time she had seen him.

When Ross reported her father’s condition to a staff member, their response was “You know, the ants. When we walked in here, we thought Mr. Marrable was dead. We thought he wasn’t even alive because the ants were all over him.” After hearing this, Ross couldn’t help but wonder what the protocol was inside these types of facilities to manage these situations.

Sadly, Ross’ father died days after he had been bitten up by ants.

While Ross knew her father was going to die as he had been suffering from cancer, perhaps the ant bites “promoted his body to die quicker.” She told the news source that after she had informed the staff about her father, they bathed him and cleaned his room. But that wasn’t enough to get rid of them. The ants returned the next day and that is when the staff decided to move him into a new room which is where he later died.

Ross shared with the news outlet that her father’s room had ants everywhere. They were on the ceiling, the walls, and the beds. After the Atlanta VA Hospital got word of the incident, a spokesperson for the facility released a statement saying they had taken action to address the issue by “stripping all the bedrooms and inspecting them for ants, removing all open food containers, hiring a pest control company to do an inspection, and purchasing plastic containers for the residents’ snacks.”

Although the facility did proceed to take preventive measures to reduce the chances of this happening again, you can’t help but wonder why these measures weren’t taken once the staff saw Marrable crawling with ants. It wasn’t until his daughter notified the staff that something was actually done. It is for this reason that the Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys here at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. encourage you to visit your loved one regularly and report any signs of odd behavior, markings on your loved one, or anything out of the ordinary so that is can be properly addressed. If you find that the staff is not handling the issue accordingly, you should then contact our office immediately at 1-312-384-1920.

Signs that Your Loved One’s Nursing Home Might Have Bed Bugs and Other Insects Living Inside of it

As unwholesome as it sounds, insect infestation has proven to be a serious issue for residents living in nursing homes which is why we encourage you to look for the following signs that might indicate there are insects such as bed bugs living in the nursing home your loved one currently resides in.

Signs of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs generally hide during the day which makes them difficult to spot, according to Orkin so be sure to keep your eye out for the tiny, rust-colored stains they tend to leave behind. You will want to look in the following places for these spots:

The mattress tags and shams
The ceiling
Under seat cushions
Behind the headboard
You’ll also want to look for areas that might be potential hiding spots for bed bugs such as lifted wallpaper.

Some other insects aside from bed bugs that tend to lurk in nursing homes include scabies and the only way to tell if your loved one is living in a place that fosters an environment for these bugs to survive in is to remain vigilant during each of your visits. For example, you should inspect your loved one each time you go to seem them to be sure they don’t have any raised bumps, bites, rashes, blisters, pimples, etc. and if you notice anything that could potentially be a bug bite, report it to the staff immediately.

The Chicago, IL nursing home my loved one lives in is unsanitary and dirty. What can I do?

For starters, you might want to notify the staff of the conditions you are witnessing and consider looking for a new home for your relative to live in. You can also contact one of our Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys to learn more about what your family member’s legal rights are when they are forced to live in unhealthy or hazardous conditions.

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

How do I Ensure a Nursing Home’s Physical Condition is Suitable for My Loved One to Live in?

September 9, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

Choosing the right nursing home for your loved one to live in takes time and consideration as many things must be assessed. Aside from taking into account past inspection reports as well as the quality of staff that is employed at the home, you must also assess the physical condition of all areas of the home that your loved one is going to be exposed to. The fact is, a nursing home facility must be set up in a way that promotes safety and cleanliness and decreases the chances of an accident happening.

Note: Elderly individuals tend to have weaker immune systems and are prone to falling so you need to be sure the home you choose won’t put them at risk of becoming ill or injuring themselves.

Physical Conditions You Should Assess When Choosing a Nursing Home for a Relative

Although the physical condition of the nursing home isn’t the only thing to consider when selecting a nursing home for a relative, it is a very important part of the process. Therefore, below we are outlining for you some physical considerations we’d like you to take into account if you are planning on moving a loved one into a nursing home in Chicago, IL or looking to relocate a relative into a new facility.

Does the facility emphasize accident prevention? The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) says that the facility should eliminate hazards that could lead to a mishap occurring. For example, “all areas should be clear of small low objects that can cause a person to trip” and “there should be no throw rugs or small areas rugs” present where residents walk. The facility should also use chairs that are sturdy and cannot tip over easily as well as have handrails present in the hallways and bathrooms so that the residents have something to grab hold of should they need it.

The IDPH says that each of the bedrooms in a nursing home should open up to a corridor and have a window. There shouldn’t be more than four beds in a room and the area should be easily accessible. Some other things residents should have in their room include:

A nurse call bell
Reading light
Closet space and drawers to store personal belongings

Tip: If you do not feel comfortable with having your loved one room with someone else, you can request that they have their own room. While some facilities may accommodate this request, others may not have the space to do so. Nursing homes should consider the special interests and personalities of any two residents before putting them into the same room as you wouldn’t want any conflicts to arise.

Fire safety. The facility you are considering should be complying with the State of Illinois’ fire safety codes. The IDPH suggests that you request to see when the facility last had a fire inspection completed to ensure it is up to date with inspections. You will also want to choose a facility that has clearly labeled its exits and has a plan in place in the event an emergency arises.

Tip: Ask the facility director or another person in charge about fire drills. The IDPH says “a good home puts residents through frequent fire drills to acquaint them with the quickest way to leave the building wherever they may be at the moment.”

The kitchen should be separated into areas. For example, the IDPH says that food preparation, garbage, and dishwashing areas should be separated from one another and any food that needs refrigeration shouldn’t be left out on the countertops. You’ll also want to check the area for cleanliness as you wouldn’t want your mom or dad’s food prepared or stored in an unsanitary place.

Isolation rooms. The facility should be equipped with an isolation room that can be used for a resident to stay in who has caught a contagious disease.

The hallways must be large enough for at least two wheelchairs to pass through with ease. There should also be handgrip railings on either side of the hallway for residents just as a precaution.
Dining rooms. The dining room should be set up in a way that is “attractive and inviting.” The chairs should be comfortable for the residents and the area should be accommodating to wheelchairs.

To read about the other physical considerations you should take into account when choosing a nursing home, visit the IDPH’s website by clicking here.

Before you settle on a single nursing home in Chicago, be sure to request a tour so you are able to assess the facility’s physical conditions mentioned above. If you are relocating a loved one who happened to have been mistreated at the previous facility they resided in, contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. to speak with a Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorney. We will not only help you find a new home for your relative to live in but we can also help you to take the necessary steps to hold the other facility liable for your loved one’s pain and suffering.

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

Pritzker Creates Elder Abuse Task Force

August 19, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – The Department on Aging is responding to more than 20,000 reports of elder abuse that has occurred within the last year. Last Monday, Governor J.B. Pritzker created a 22-member Elder Abuse Task Force to further investigate current practices and raise the publics’ awareness of elderly abuse.

The newly-created task force was created through Senate Joint Resolution 13 and passed both houses unanimously. The Elder Abuse Task Force is staffed with legislators, agency heads, and elder abuse experts which range from state directors at AARP Illinois to an Illinois State Police captain.

The task force will analyze the effectiveness of elder protective services in Illinois and other states to develop a long-term plan to combat elder abuse in Illinois. Pritzker will be presented all findings and recommendations by January 1, 2021.

“One case of elder abuse would be too many,” Pritzker said. “But 20,000 annually is unacceptable. We need to tackle this head on.”

Paula Basta, the director of the Illinois Department of Aging, mentioned the reports of abuse included adults over the age of 60 and older and people 18 to 59 with a disability. She made note that abuse comes in many forms – it’s not limited to simply physical abuse, but furthermore passive neglect, financial exploitation, emotional and verbal abuse, among many more. In many cases, an elder is experiencing more than one form of abuse.

According to The Telegraph, the task force is staffed includes:

Katie Stuart – 112^th District Legislator
State Sen. Rachelle Crowe
Kristopher Tharp – Lieutenant, Madison County Sheriff’s Office
Tonya Genoese – Assistant State’s Attorney, Madison Country State’s Attorney Office
State Sen. Craig Wilcox
Debbie Verschelde – Executive Director, Aging Care Connections
Lori Hendren – Associate State Director, AARP Illinois
Dawn Wells – RN, Area Manager, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Aimee Isham – Bureau Chief for Long Term Care, Illinois Department of Public Health
Paul Isaac – Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Gene Seaman – Human Rights Authority Supervising Manager, Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission

If you suspect a loved one is suffering from elder abuse, please contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd right away. Our experienced attorney’s work diligently until your case is resolved and your loved one is out of harm’s way. Please call our office at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for more information.

Illinois Nursing Homes Ranked 3rd Worst in Country

June 17, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

Each nursing home is different than the next in terms of how patients are treated and being taken care of. Some nursing homes provide clients with excellent care following guidelines and procedures while another may be suffering a staff shortage, and employees may have to overcompensate by caring for more patients than they are able to handle resulting below quality care. A recent report from a non-profit advocacy group ranked Illinois as the 3^rd worst state in the country for nursing home quality.

Families for Better Care gave Illinois an “F” for the quality of its nursing homes (Chicago Tribune). Ratings include Washington D.C. in which Illinois was ranked 49^th in the country, only above North Carolina and Texas.

Nursing home residents in Illinois receive an average of only 1.6 hours of professional nursing care a day. Residents also receive roughly 2.2 hours of direct care that relates to daily needs such as going to the bathroom, help getting dressed, getting out of bed, and being turned to avoid bedsores. Nearly 97 percent of nursing homes in Illinois have had federal deficiencies or citations; moreover, 28 percent have severe federal deficiencies.

Although Medicaid is a state and federally funded insurance program, many Illinois nursing homes are challenged by low payments by it. Nationwide, Medicaid covers upwards of 60 percent of nursing home residents according to the Kaiser Family Foundation report (2017). The report states the typical cost of nursing home care is $82,000 annually. The state’s Medicaid reimbursement pay is about $35 less per resident than what the actual cost of caring for the resident is.

Illinois recently adopted a new-found budget that includes $240 million for Medicaid funding for nursing homes, $70 million which specifically is for staffing. Nursing homes that fail to meet staffing requirements will now face a financial penalty. Nursing homes that violate the requirement will have to post notices explaining themselves which is to be posted in each publicly used doorway into the facility, in the main lobby, next to the registration desk, and on their website.

Illinois law requires nursing homes to provide 3.8 hours of nursing and personal care per day for residents that need skilled care, and 2.5 hours for residents needing intermediate level care.

The top states for nursing homes are Hawaii, Delaware, and Alaska according to the Families for Better Care report. You can check out how the federal government rates individual nursing homes here. If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please call Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at (312) 384-1920. Due to the statue of limitations, we will have to begin working on your case right away.

Nursing home neglect, nursing home abuse, Chicago

How Payroll Records Can Help Prevent Nursing Home Neglect

March 1, 2019/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now doing more to crack down on understaffing in nursing homes. By passing a payroll records submission requirement for nursing homes that went into effect in April of last year, CMS now has a better method to judge which facilities are truly understaffed. Prior to this rule, CMS simply asked nursing homes to check a box when asked about their staffing levels.

By requesting payroll records, CMS is forcing nursing homes to provide evidence-based documentation to show staffing levels. CMS has a rule that requires nursing homes to have a registered nurse on site for at least eight hours every day. When these payroll records were analyzed, there were serious gaps in skilled nursing facility staffing in comparison with what was reported in previous years. As a result of their findings, CMS hit almost 1,400 facilities with one-star ratings for staffing coverage. Ratings for nursing homes you may be considering can be found at Nursing Home Compare.

There is a direct link between understaffing and the quality of care residents receive at a nursing home. Nursing home neglect is often found in understaffed facilities. While this new directive instructs inspectors to more thoroughly evaluate staffing at facilities CMS flags, the quality of care at many facilities won’t change overnight, nor will there be a flurry of unannounced inspections. Instead, Medicare wants heightened focus on nursing homes from inspectors when they come in for their routine reviews, which are scheduled roughly once a year for most facilities.

If you or your loved one is suffering in a nursing home, today you don’t need to wait for CMS to act. If your mom or dad is at an understaffed nursing home that didn’t properly care for your loved one and caused them injury, know that there are options for you and your family. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. can represent you and help you collect full and fair compensation from those who have harmed your loved one. Our verdicts and settlements have helped many get the needed medical treatment and arrive at a place of relief and stability. Our Chicago nursing home neglect attorneys are here to help. Contact us at 1(312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW.

When Forced Feeding is Nursing Home Abuse

October 10, 2018/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

As our loved ones age, their appetites may diminish or they may have health conditions that cause difficulty in eating and swallowing food. When this happens it’s important that our loved ones are not malnourished or dehydrated due to a reduced nutrient intake.

Long-term residential facilities like nursing homes are required to provide around-the-clock care for their residents. This includes not just feeding residents, but also monitoring their daily calorie and nutrient intake.

Residents with health conditions like dysphagia have trouble swallowing food and are more likely to aspirate, meaning getting food or liquid breathed into the airway, which may lead to pneumonia. But even in these instances, a feeding tube should only be used as a last resort to prevent malnutrition or dehydration. Initial steps can be taken to help a resident get adequate nutrition. Such steps include:

Providing a resident with physical therapy to help with swallowing or using utensils
Providing utensils that are easier to hold and use
Sitting with the resident and manually feeding the resident

If any of the preliminary steps work and help a resident get the daily calorie intake they need, there is no reason to put a resident on a feeding tube. But many nursing homes, for their own convenience and in order to save on staff expenses, will put residents on feeding tubes even when it’s not absolutely necessary. Remember, a nursing home cannot order the use of a feeding tube without the consent of the resident or the resident’s authorized representative unless other options have been exhausted.

Feeding tubes can be live savers, but they can cause complications which are easily avoidable for residents who can eat well through other means. If your loved one is put on a feeding tube you believe is unnecessary, this may be a form of nursing home abuse. Our Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys are here to help if you or your loved one is in harm’s way. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW or by email.

380,000 Preventable Infection-Related Deaths Per Year

March 23, 2018/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

The Department of Health & Human Services estimates that 380,000 people die each year due to infection-related complications. Many of these deaths happen in nursing homes where lapses in infection control have become a norm. Simple steps to prevent infections, such as hand-washing, isolating sick patients, and preventing sick employees from coming to work are being ignored across America’s nursing homes.

The Chicago Sun Times reported that four years of inspection records show 74% of nursing homes were cited for failing to meet infection control standards.

This investigation revealed that while repeat citations are being commonly issued for infection control violations, disciplinary actions against nursing homes, such as fines, are rare. Nationwide, only 1 in 75 nursing homes that was found deficient for infection control in these four years has received a high-level citation that results in a financial penalty.

Infections, many avoidable, cause a quarter of the medical injuries Medicare beneficiaries experience in nursing homes, according to The Department of Health & Human Services’ report. Infections are also among the most frequent reasons residents are sent back again to the hospital.

While the deaths from infection-related complications grow, the nursing home industry is getting the message that they don’t need to act. Low-level warnings given year after year are falling on deaf ears. Nursing homes need to hire adequate staff, properly train staff about infection control, and provide sufficient paid sick leave to staff to encourage them to stay home when they are sick. While these changes are easy to implement, they will not happen unless The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which oversees nursing home inspections, recognizes that nursing homes need accountability.

While it may take some time for CMS to update their regulations for nursing homes, don’t feel that you or your family member is alone. If you or a loved one was injured due to an infection caused in a nursing home, you are entitled to justice and fair compensation for the harm caused. The Chicago nursing home neglect attorneys of the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. have over 50 years of combined experience in taking on some of the largest corporate-chain nursing homes. With a reputation for tough litigation and verdicts and settlements in the millions of dollars for our clients, we understand the tactics nursing homes use to protect their bottom lines. Contact us for a free initial consultation. Call 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW, or reach us by email.

Nursing Home in Chicago Hit with Nearly 90 Lawsuits Involving Neglect and Abuse

January 12, 2018/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

A nursing home located in Chicago, IL has nearly 90 lawsuits filed against it and is facing yet another for abuse and negligence allegations. CBS Chicago reports Alden-Wentworth Rehabilitation is the nursing home under investigation. Here, Mary Mims’ daughter Letasha lived while she was suffering from severe mental-health issues that prevented her from being able to take care of herself. Letasha was unable to speak and couldn’t use her arms or legs which means she relied solely on the care she received from the nursing home staff working at the facility.

Is Your Loved One the Victim of Resident to Resident Elder Mistreatment (RREM)?

December 1, 2017/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

The residents who occupy the rooms of Chicago nursing homes are there for a reason. They are elderly, fragile, or simply cannot take care of themselves in the manner that supports overall health and wellness. While nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are expected to care for these individuals and protect them from danger, nursing home abuse is evident in many facilities located all across the country, not just in Illinois.

How Serious Are Bed Sores For Nursing Home Residents?

October 20, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

For our aging loved ones, bed sores can be a serious and even deadly affliction. Also known as decubitus ulcers or pressure sores, bedsores can range in severity from superficial skin wounds to deep ulcers that expose bone. As though deep skin ulcers were not a severe enough issue, the Mayo Clinic describes complications that may arise from bed sores including:

Sepsis – a life threatening condition that may result in organ failure
Cellulitis – an infection of soft tissues causing pain, redness and swelling
Bone and Joint Infections – an infection that resides deep in the bones resulting in reduced limb function
Squamous Cell Carcinoma – a cancer that results from wounds that will not heal

In addition to the terrible pain and debilitating wounds, each bed sore complication described above can result in death. It is oftentimes difficult for elderly individuals to heal effectively, thus preventing bed sores can be a life or death matter.

Are Bed Sores Preventable?

As the name implies, pressure sores are caused by pressure on the skin. This pressure ultimately reduces blood flow resulting in a breakdown of the tissue. In addition to sustained pressure on the skin, friction and shear can be contributing factors as well. For example, a nursing home resident in an adjustable bed that tilts up or down may experience shear as the bed adjust against their body weight. If a nursing home caretaker handles an individual too roughly, the friction may be enough to damage skin that is already frail.

Data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that 11% of residents in nursing homes may have bed sores. Sometimes bedsores occur in nursing home residents despite good efforts, but there are still measures a nursing home care taker should follow to prevent bed sores. For example, encouraging the proper movement in residents with limited mobility is crucial to preventing bed sores. If an individual is bedridden or wheelchair bound, the patient must be repositioned every couple of hours.

What To Do If Your Loved One Develops Bedsores While in a Nursing Home?

While we hope that our aging or disabled loved ones would be treated properly in a nursing home, we know that oftentimes this is not the case. Unfortunately, many nursing homes fail their residents and let them fall victim to neglect or abuse, resulting in bedsores or far worse outcomes. As skilled nursing home neglect attorneys in Chicago, the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. knows what the standard of care is for Illinois nursing homes. With over 50 years of combined experience, our nursing home abuse lawyers hold caregivers accountable for the injuries they have caused their residents.

Contact us by email or call us at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW to schedule a free consultation. Our nursing home abuse attorneys can build a case that brings justice and compensation for your injured loved ones.