Nursing home abuse

What Are the Stages of Bedsores?

July 31, 2022/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Nearly 1.5 million U.S. adults reside in nursing homes. It’s no secret that nurses across the nation are struggling from being overworked and understaffed. When this happens, residents are more prone to neglect and abuse. One of the most common signs of neglect is bedsores. Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are caused by pressure from lying in bed, sitting in a wheelchair or wearing a cast for a prolonged period of time.

Stages of bedsores

There are four stages of bedsores:

Stage 1 is the mildest form of bedsores. The skin’s top layer is the only part affected. At this stage, the skin is not opened nor cracked. At this stage, nursing home staff should continuously check on the resident’s position, provide wound care, and regularly check to prevent bedsores from returning. Those who suffer from Stage 1 bedsores may recover in a few days; however, these ulcers should be treated immediately to prevent it from worsening.
Symptoms may include mild burning or itching, feel firmer than surrounding tissue, have a warmer temperature from surrounding normal tissue, sore to touch and appear red in people with lighter skin and blue or purple in people with darker skin.
Stage 2 is when the ulcer begins to penetrate the inner layer of skin and often times has fluid build-up or is blistered. The sore breaks into the second layer, but can be easily treated in a matter of days to avoid complications including inflections that can spread to the blood, bones and internal organs.
Symptoms may include a shallow, crater-like wound, yellowish fluid blister that may or may not have burst, pain, swollen, sore or red tissue around the sore, drainage or pus at the ulcer.
Stage 3 unfortunately shows that neglect or abuse is already present. When the pressure ulcer breaks into the second layer of tissue, it may look like a cater and turn black due to the dead tissue surrounding the infected area. Antibiotics are required to be prescribed, along wit other supportive treatment measures to fight the infection and speed up the healing process.
Symptoms may include pus, redness, foul odor, or discolored drainage.
Stage 4 is the most severe kind of bedsore usually affecting the muscles and ligaments which can take months to heal, or worse, may never heal. Residents suffering from stage 4 bedsores need to be taken to the hospital immediately where surgery may be required.
Symptoms may include extreme pain, drainage, dead tissue, visible muscles or bone, or a dark, hard substance known as eschar.

How to prevent bedsores

Bedsores can be prevented by nurses and nursing home staff inspecting the residents skin for areas of redness, particularly paying close attention to bony areas. Other methods to prevent bedsores may include:

Turning and re-positioning residents every 2 hours from their bed or wheelchair
Provide soft padding in wheelchairs to reduce the likelihood of pressure ulcers from forming
Helping residents sit upright in a wheelchair, changing positions every 15 minutes
Providing good skin care by keeping the residents skin clean and dry
Providing residents with good nutrition

Congress passed the Elder Abuse Protection and Prosecution Act in 2017 to prevent pressure ulcers and other injuries of mistreatment towards elder individuals. The U.S. government has also emplaced the Residents’ Bill of Rights to ensure residents living in nursing home facilities are treated fairly and with dignity.

When to contact a nursing home neglect lawyer

Bedsores are typically the result of insufficient and negligent care. If you know something is wrong and your loved one is suffering, you should immediately contact an experienced nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer. The knowledgeable and skilled attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group are here to help you. Call us today at (312) 384-1920 for a free consultation and to learn how we can help you.

IDPH Reports 74 Nursing Homes Violating the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act

July 3, 2022/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Throughout the United States, millions of elderly individuals live and are cared for in nursing homes. Nursing homes provide residents with the care and attention they need. Unfortunately, not even the best nursing homes provide the quality care that residents deserve.

Newly announced, the Biden Administration is considering that nursing homes across the country spend most of their payments from Medicaid on direct care for residents. Amounts should be limited to be used for operations, maintenance, capital improvements, or for-profit.

If adopted, it would be the first time in history that the federal government insists nursing home facilities would devote the majority of Medicaid dollars to caring for residents.

A recent report shows that 74 private nursing homes in Illinois violated the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act. Five of the nursing home facilities were cited with violations that could have resulted in the death of a resident.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s quarterly report, 93% of those facilities had “A” violations which pertains to the condition that death or serious physical harm or mental anguish will or has resulted.

The other facilities received “AA” violations meaning the care at the facility resulted in a resident’s death. Those facilities included:

Bria of Forest Edge in Chicago
Heartland of Galesburg in McLeansboro
Hillsboro Rehab & HCC in Hillsboro
New Athens Home for the Aged in New Athens
Richland Nursing & Rehab in Olney

Each were fined up to $50,000; additionally, Hillsboro Rehab & HCC was fined $25,000 and the New Athens Home for the Aged was fined $50,000 for “failing to implement infection control measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

State Rep. Dan Caulkins has called for better improvement in Illinois nursing homes. Caulkins mentioned the most concerning factor is “how many other nursing homes have problems and how they never even get to the state surveyor.”

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a $700 million measure that aims to address staffing issues in nursing homes across the state in May.

Deputy Administrator Dan Tsai at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Medicaid Director spoke about meeting with Illinois state officials, nursing home workers, residents, and relatives in Chicago in April.

Studies have proven a strong connection between staffing levels and care across the nation.

Contact a Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney

If you have a loved one living in a nursing home suffering from abuse or neglect at the hands of their caretaker, it’s important to contact a skilled attorney right away. The experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group are here to help you and offer free consultations. Contact our office now at (312) 384-1920 today.

How Nursing Homes Attempt to Hide Abuse

March 20, 2022/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Nursing home abuse is just one part of the larger problem with elder abuse – especially in nursing homes. As many as 5,000,000 people are affected by elder abuse each year, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

How Common is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse effects thousands of families each year. In 2014 alone, more than 14,000 complaints were filed with nursing home ombudsmen about abuse or neglect.

The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) compiled a breakdown of nursing home abuse complaints:

27% – Physical abuse
22% – Resident-on-resident abuse (physical or sexual)
19% – Psychological abuse
15% – Gross neglect
8% – Sexual abuse
8% – Financial exploitation

Who is At Risk?

Any elderly person in a long-term care facility may suffer from nursing home abuse; however, there are certain risk factors that lead individuals to be more at-risk to be exposed to abuse.

Women are more likely to be abused then men. NCVC found that 66% of elder abuse victims were women. Individuals who have been abused or experienced a traumatic event in the past are more likely to be victims of abuse again in the future. Additionally, poor mental and physical health may increase the risk of abuse. Individuals who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia are particularly vulnerable to abuse. Nearly 50% of elders with dementia experience abuse or neglect while living in a nursing home.

Common Abuse Tactics

There are various ways staff members at nursing home facilities work to hide incidents of nursing home abuse. In some cases, an individual may be attempting to cover up abuse; however, in other situations, management or facility owner may be part of the cover-up.

Common tactics used to hide nursing home abuse include:

Threatening the resident with additional harm if they report what happened
Refusing to allow family members to visit with a resident alone
Confusing the resident to make them believe they imagined the abuse
Providing family members or loved ones with other explanations for injuries
Keeping no record of medical care for abuse-related injuries
Altering logbooks or other records to hide abuse or neglect

Any staff members that abuses a nursing home resident should be terminated immediately. Unfortunately, many nursing homes across the United States are understaffed – especially Illinois nursing homes. Facilities tend to not immediately fire the abusive employee.

Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

The Dinizulu Law Group is always looking out to protect the interests and rights of nursing home residents. Contact our skilled team of nursing home abuse attorneys today so we can help assess your loved ones situation. To receive a free consultation, contact us now at (312) 384-1920.

Parties That May Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

March 18, 2021/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Nursing homes should be a haven for elderly and disabled individuals who need consistent, quality care. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Too often you hear of nursing home horror stories of neglect and abuse happening in facilities. An estimated 5 million people are affected each year by elder abuse, according to Nursing Home Abuse Justice.

A nursing home injury claim may allow an injured victim, or a victim’s family, to hold the liability party accountable for the abuse or neglect a loved one has endured. Nursing home injury claims also may also allow victims to recover compensatory damages. Damages for physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, emotional distress, and cost of medical treatment may also be recovered among other damages.

Liable Parties

Liable parties refer to the party that is legally responsible for an injury or a death, according to Law Insider. In many nursing home cases, the liable party is the nursing home itself because of their obligation to provide competent care and assist residents.

Nursing homes can violate that obligation by:

Failing to properly supervise staff
Failing to maintain an adequate staffing level
Failing to properly supervise staff
Failing to perform background checks on staff or other negligent hiring practices
Medical mistakes, such as medication errors
Failure to provide adequate assistance with residents daily living activities
Failing to maintain a safe facility
Insufficient sanitation of the facility
Failing to provide adequate security measures
Intentional abuse of residents, such as physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, or sexual abuse

Other Liable Parties

While the nursing home facility is often the liable party that is held accountable for abuse or neglect, there are other parties that may be liable as well. For example, an outside contractor who is not employed by the nursing home can be to blame for a resident’s illness or death. If insufficient sanitation caused a resident to contract an avoidable infection, the company that is contracted to clean and sanitize the facility may be held liable.

Another example would be if a product manufacturer made a defective product, such as a wheelchair, and a resident was injured or died as a result from the product, the manufacturer could be held liable.

Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse & Negligence Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a nursing homes abuse or negligence, you may be able to hold the liable party accountable and recover compensation for damages through filing a personal injury claim. The nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys of Dinizulu Law Group have extensive knowledge and experience and can help you identify who is liable for the injury or death and represent you throughout the entirety of your case. Call our office at (312) 384-1920 for a free consultation or visit our website for more information.

Are Unsanitary Living Conditions and Lack of Hygiene a Form of Nursing Home Neglect?

February 22, 2021/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Many nursing home residents rely on staff members to help them with the consistent care they need. Nursing home staff members help residents bathe, feed them, help with administering medication, treat injuries, and transfer residents from their wheelchair to bed. Another key responsibility of nursing home staff includes to maintain a clean, sanitary environment for residents to live in. When staff members fail to maintain a clean facility, sanitize equipment, and help residents with hygiene-related needs, these may be signs of nursing home neglect.

Unsanitary Equipment in Nursing Homes Can Lead to Infection and Illness

With COVID surging nursing home facilities, staff members must be precautious to prevent infection outbreaks to keep residents safe. Since many nursing home residents’ bodies are weakened by age and/or disability, exposure to any virus, fungi, bacteria, or other pathogens can be deadly. Nursing homes should be regularly cleaned and sanitized to avoid these types of outbreaks in facilities, including cleaning wheelchairs, shared equipment, and other common places.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), kitchens must be properly cleaned and sanitized, and all kitchen staff must be trained and certified in safe food handling to prevent the spread of illnesses. For example, if bathroom showers, toilets, or sinks are not regularly cleaned, it can become a haven for bacteria and germs to grow that can cause residents to become ill.

Colds
Bed sores
Flu
Bed bugs
Infections, such as bacterial pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and influenza
Diarrhea, which can sometimes develop into a chronic problem
Athletes foot
Scabies
Ringworm
Lice
Psychological damage, such as depression and reduced quality of life

Proper Resident Hygiene is Essential for Physical and Mental Health

Nursing home staff has the responsibility to keep residents clean and hygienic, as many residents are unable to use the restroom, bathe, or dress without the assistance of staff. Some residents may rely on adult diapers. If staff members fail to regularly change residents’ soiled diapers, clothing, or bed sheets, infections and medical complications can occur.

Bed sores are another common and major concern in nursing home facilities. If a resident develops a bed sore and it is not cleaned and regularly maintained, the wound may become more infected and even develop into a deadly condition called sepsis. The Mayo Clinic suggests to regularly clean and dress bed sores to prevent further infection.

Contact a Nursing Home Negligence Attorney in Cook County, Illinois

Nursing home residents are often unable to stand up for themselves when forced to live in unsanitary living conditions, or suffer from other forms of nursing home abuse. Many residents rely on family members to watch for signs of poor hygiene or advocate for them when they see they are not receiving the care they rightfully deserve. If you believe your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call us today at (312) 384-1920 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled nursing home abuse attorneys. We know when our clients are being mistreated and living in unsanitary living conditions and are committed to bringing your loved one the justice they deserve. Please visit our website for more information.

Concerns Regarding Nursing Home Residents with Alzheimer’s or Dementia

February 19, 2021/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Approximately 44 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease or some form of dementia (Alzheimer’s News Today). Nursing home residents who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia may struggle to recall memories, and accurately interpret the world around them. Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia may become confused easily and even combative with other residents and nursing home staff. If your loved one suffers from dementia and is living in a nursing home, it’s important to understand some of the unique issues he or she may face while living in a nursing home.

Wandering and Elopement

Nursing home residents who suffer from cognitive impairment due to dementia or a related illness are at a high risk of wandering and elopement. A confused resident may wander into dangerous parts of the facility and be seriously hurt.

Four patterns of wandering as described by Myra A. Aud, PhD, RN to Sage Publications is described as:

Direct Travel: movement from one area to another without diversion.
Random Travel: roundabout or haphazard movement to many locations within an area without interruption.
Pacing: a repetitive movement that involves walking back and forth in a limited area.
Lapping: a repetitive movement that involves following a circular path around a larger area.

Safety issues related to wandering include both falls and wandering away (elopement). In long-term care settings, wandering interferes with caregiving activities. For example, if a resident who tends to wander infringes on territorial spaces of other residents, this may provoke a personal conflict.

Elopement is the act of wandering away from a safe residence, which is extremely dangerous for those who suffer from a cognitive impairment. An estimated 60 percent of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will wander away at least once.

Wandering is not only dangerous, but is difficult to predict where a resident could go next. All cognitively impaired long-term care facility residents that are cognitively impaired are presumed to be at-risk for wandering, even if they have no past history of doing so. Although some residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia may inadvertently wander away from a safe area by following staff and visitors as they leave while others actively test locked windows or doors and express a desire to leave.

Possible reasons for wandering include, but are not limited to:

A desire for variety such as leaving a confined area for the setting viewed through windows and doors.
A desire to go home or to work.
A desire to leave the current environment and its stresses.

Wandering and elopement can result in a resident being seriously harmed or even deadly.

Physical Abuse and Sexual Abuse

Nursing homes should be a safe place for the elderly community. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Some nursing home residents are victims of physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse. Residents who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are more vulnerable to this type of malicious treatment. Perpetrators may target these residents knowing they will likely struggle to report the abuse and could possibly continue to abuse this resident if they think no one may believe them.

Common people who can commit sexual abuse in nursing home facilities:

Nurses, aides, or other staff members.
Criminals who invade the facility.
Fellow residents.

Signs of sexual abuse may include:

Physical signs of abuse, such as bruising or blood-stained bedding.
Elderly person contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
Displaying fear towards a particular caregiver or resident at their long-term care facility.
Newly developed depression or anxiety.
Withdrawal from normal activities.

Sexual abuse in nursing homes is often underreported and is due to the social stigma behind sexual assault, or fear or retribution by the perpetrator. According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), there were 20,000 complaints of sexual abuse in nursing homes over the past 20 years. On average, about three people a day in nursing homes are sexually abused.

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care mentions female nursing home residents who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia are more likely to be sexually abused. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “1 in 5 women have been either raped or suffered an attempted rape, compared to 1 out of 38 men.”

Medication Mistakes

Most residents in long-term care facilities often rely on one or more prescription medications. They may not remember if they took their medication or not on any given day. Medication mistakes often go unnoticed and residents who suffer from cognitive impairments are at high-risk for missed medications, mixed-up medications, incorrect administration techniques, and other medication mistakes.

Contact a Cook County Nursing Home Injury Lawyer

Nursing home staff are required to provide residents with the standard of care and should take precautions to ensure that residents suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are safe. If your loved one suffered from nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect, you may be able to hold the facility responsible and recover damages through a nursing home injury claim. Contact one of our experienced nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect attorney’s today for a free consultation at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for more information.

Who Owns A Nursing Home Can be the Difference Between Life and Death

January 6, 2021/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing homes have been hit hard with the most vulnerable population and has resulted in death rates spiking. Mathematica Policy Research researched COVID-19 cases and deaths concentrated in certain long-term care facilities including nursing homes and assisted living communities. Findings proved for-profit nursing homes had more than 60 percent more cases and deaths than nonprofit nursing homes.

In Illinois counties that have been hit hardest by the virus, for-profit nursing homes have nearly double the deaths per bed compared to nonprofit facilities.

Last January, Elizabeth Stout was trying to find a place for her brother, John Krok.

Krok, 62, had been struggling with a brain tumor for nearly two years after suffering from a seizure at Jewel supermarket where he worked as a cashier. Krok has undergone numerous medical procedures, hospital trips, and rehab-center stays but ultimately ended up back in the hospital.

Stout recalled only having a few days to get her brother out of the hospital and into a nursing home.

She printed out federal ratings of nursing homes near her brother’s house on Chicago’s Northwest Side. She saw two facilities with high ratings for a sufficient amount of staff to care for residents – both of which were owned by nonprofit organizations. After touring the facilities, she tried to get her brother admitted.

He was rejected from both because Krok was reliant on Medicaid, a government funding program that pays for long-term care for those who cannot afford it.

Stout looked at Fairmont Care, a facility with lower staffing ratings but welcomed Medicaid recipients.

Stout had no knowledge and no way of knowing that Fairmont’s main proprietor was among the state’s least effective nursing home owners at protecting residents from COVID-19.

Krok was transferred from a hospital to Fairmont Care on January 27. He was placed with a roommate who had a hacking cough that later tested positive for COVID-19.

Soon after, Krok developed pneumonia in both lungs. Fairmont sent him to the hospital where he tested positive for the virus.

When Krok caught COVID-19, the virus had just begun to take hold of the Chicago area and other parts of Illinois spreading rapidly in nursing homes. Nearly a year later, and the virus is continuing to spread at high speeds. Nursing home residents now account for 8,297 deaths in Illinois.

The coronavirus spread through long-term care facilities in Illinois has not been even: nursing homes that operate for profit have had more infections and deaths per bed than nonprofit facilities. For profit nursing homes have had nearly double the death rates as nonprofit facilities.

Advocates for nursing home residents and staff members say Illinois should focus more on holding owners accountable for packing elderly and frail people into poorly staffed facilities where the virus can quickly spread.

Staff Shortage and Overworked

Fairmont Care, the facility that took in John Krok, has some of the worst COVID-19 numbers among nursing homes in Illinois. In January 2020, it average 152 occupied beds. By November, state public-health regulators had recorded 155 infections and 32 deaths tied to the facility. Fairmont had more COVID-19 deaths per occupied bed than 95 percent of the state’s 758 long-term care facilities.

Elizabeth Stout, Krok’s sister, was not concerned about the care her brother was received at Fairmont. She praised a social worker, physical therapist, and nurse practitioner for going above and beyond to facilitate a Zoom call for Krok’s birthday with family members.

What concerned Stout was the staffing levels for day-to-day care that residents required.

“I don’t believe during his entire stay that he was walked to the bathroom,” she said. “It was either a bedpan or bedside commode.”

When COVID-19 swept through Illinois nursing homes, many Fairmont staff members got sick. The facility’s management said it directed others to work double shifts and brought in temporary nurses from staffing agencies.

Stout said eventually staff members stopped moving her brother from the bed – even for meals. She also had a hard time reaching any Fairmont managers.

The federal government rated Fairmont’s staffing levels as average or below average compared to nursing homes nationwide during the four quarters prior to the pandemic.

Fairmont staff members admitted to Stout that they were overstretched, mentioning they would arrive in her brothers room to take vitals or put a meal tray down before they had to rush to care for the next resident.

When Fairmont sent Krok back to the hospital with pneumonia, he arrived without medical charts. She found this out when the hospital called her to see whether his symptoms were from a stroke. Without his charts from Fairmont, the hospital lacked the most basic information about his condition, including that he had a brain tumor.

Krok begged the hospital not to be returned to Fairmont, but he eventually was.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has a module on their website that provides healthcare facilities, such as long-term care facilities, with a customized system to track infections and prevention process measures in a systematic way.

It’s important to research nursing homes before deciding which is the best to place your loved one in. Medicare offers a tool that allows you to compare nursing home quality by the following criteria:

Five-Star Quality Rating
Health inspections
Nursing home staffing
Quality measures
Fire safety inspections

If you believe your loved one is being abused or neglected by their nursing home facility, please contact an experienced attorney at the Dinizulu Law Group for a free consultation today at (312) 384-1920. You can visit our website for additional information.

Reflections in 2020

December 29, 2020/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

2020 is certainly a Year of Reflections. While all of us have had to make sacrifices this year, it’s always important to reflect on the past its meaning and the future. First and foremost, I pray that your families are healthy and well and have not been harmed during this pandemic. Personally, knowing many of you, I know that some of you have lost family members and loved ones. We must collectively reflect on life’s highs and lows and look forward to better days – living out our purpose. In reflecting on life’s promise and living out my purpose, I conclude I have much to be thankful for. I owe it all to you who have supported me throughout the decades and especially this last year.

I began 2020 trying a medical malpractice case against a local hospital for a beautiful little girl who was not timely diagnosed with meningitis. After a nearly 5-week trial, we were able to get justice for baby Ahlanie and her family on March 6, 2020. I can’t thank enough the parents of our client who entrusted their case with us so we could fight for the justice she deserved. I’m also thankful to my internal staff and trial team who put in countless hours, and are pictured here:

(As seen left to right: Gregg Luther, Edward Washington II, Yao O. Dinizulu, Don Keenan & Craig Sandberg)

Within 7-days of our trial completing, Illinois was shut down and placed on a stay-at-home order. With the state shut down to only essential workers, much of our office was influx as we learned to navigate this new world that we currently find ourselves in. When speaking to several of my colleagues, I learned many firms shut down because they were no longer receiving the business they once were. However, we persevered because we continued to receive your unwavering support as your Advocates for Justice. Not only did we maintain our stability, but we added to the foundation of our firm and have been able to continue to provide our community the results your loved ones deserve.

During this year, our attorneys were asked to speak at several seminars and conducted numerous presentations. Our Associate Brian Orozco was asked to speak as a panelist at his alma matter DePaul University for the 17^th Annual Latino Forum. Brian had the opportunity to speak to current law students about his experience in law and offer his advice based on his experience as a practicing attorney.

(Pictured: Associate Attorney Brian Orozco)

In July, Attorney Dinizulu was asked to present to a national audience on trying a medical malpractice case and the sophisticated techniques used to receive a favorable resolution.

In October, Mr. Dinizulu moderated a panel on Race and the Law. He was joined by esteemed panelists Plaintiff’s Attorney/Registered Nurse (RN) Vivian Tarver-Varnado, General Counsel and soon-to-be Deputy Mayor of Gary Indiana Trent McCain, and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago Dr. Sonya Dinizulu. The participants discussed how race has affected the practice of law. The discussion ranged from appellate practice, to jury selection, trial teams, expert witnesses, and the treatment of people of color by medical experts.

(As seen from left to right: Vivian Tarver-Varnado, Trent McCain, and Sonya Dinizulu)

Major protests were sparked at the end of May following the death of George Floyd.

Black Lives Matter and supporters went on to organize protests around the world including an estimated 15 to 26 million people in the United States participating in demonstrations over the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, Botham Jean, and countless others in the following weeks and months. The fight is not over.

These efforts for equality and civil rights for people of color would make recent protests the largest movement in U.S. history. Mr. Dinizulu participated in a protest with his family arranged by Jack & Jill in solidarity to end police brutality and systemic racism.

(Pictured below: Attorney Yao O. Dinizulu marching with his family in a Jack & Jill protest in June)

With 2020 coming to a close, the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. would like to thank you for all of your unwavering support. We hope you and your family have a safe and healthy New Year.

Remember to VOTE Georgia Blue for Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in the upcoming senatorial elections on January 5.

Nursing home workers reach tentative deal to end strike against Infinity

December 7, 2020/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – A tentative agreement between Infinity Healthcare Management and its nursing home workers was reached on Friday after nearly 700 employees went on strike nearly two weeks ago.

Hundreds of workers at 11 Illinois locations of Infinity Health Care Management nursing homes went on strike on Nov. 23. Nine of those nursing homes are in the Chicago area.

Nursing home workers include cooks, housekeepers, and certified nursing assistants. Employees have been negotiating a new contact since June, immediately following when their last contract was expired.

SEIU Healthcare Illinois previously said the company discontinued pandemic pay – higher wages for essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic – at the end of July, despite receiving $12.7 million in funding from the federal CARES Act.

Under a new three-year contract, all workers would receive a minimum $1 an hour raise, with the average staff member receiving a $2 an hour wage increase. Workers would also earn annual raises in year two and three of the contract, according to SEIU Healthcare Illinois union leaders.

Nursing home workers in facilities with verified coronavirus cases or facilities being monitored due to COVID-19 cases, will also receive an increase in pandemic pay, from $2 an hour to $2.50 an hour. Employees will also gain five days of COVID-19 related sick time and be guaranteed adequate personal protective equipment.

Chicago Sun Times reported union leaders said under the new proposed contract, the average hourly wage will jump from $13.65 to $15.58. The union states the agreement will raise standards for Certified Nursing Assistant pay, which in turn, will help improve staffing levels and the level of resident care.

Recognizing Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Residents with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

October 29, 2020/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – When placing your loved one in a nursing facility, everyone hopes their loved one will be treated with the respect and compassion they deserve. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality of how some facilities are. Physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse can happen to any resident; however, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often ones that are at the most risk for abuse.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse can take forms in ways of hitting, slapping, kicking, or pinching. It can also take form in a way of roughly handling your loved one when transferring them in and out of their wheelchair or bed. If a resident has bruises, cuts, or other physical injuries that they or staff are unable to explain, this may be a sign that staff or other residents have abused him or her; however, it’s important to note that not all physical injuries are a sign of abuse.

Psychological or Emotional Abuse

Nursing home staff can embarrass, isolate, and scare residents as a form of controlling them. If you see or feel that your loved one exhibits signs of fear towards staff, especially a specific staff member, this may be a sign of abuse. Sudden changes in behavior suck as rocking back and forth can be a sign of abuse. Residents who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia become confused and may convince themselves they are in danger and someone is harming them when they may not be the case; however, it’s important to take every precaution and investigate any report of mistreatment or signs of abuse.

Sexual Abuse

It’s difficult to believe anyone could take advantage of someone as vulnerable as an elder, especially someone who suffers from a cognitive impairment. A resident is not limited to suffering from sexual abuse from only staff members – any visitor that enters the facility can abuse an elder, along with other residents or staff members. Signs of abuse can be bruises, bleeding, agitation, depression, torn or blood-stained clothing, and contracting a sexually transmitted infection.

Contact a Cook County Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If you suspect your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, it’s important to take immediate steps to protect his or her safety. Always alert the nursing facility and authorities about signs of suspected abuse. Once your loved one is safe, contact a Chicago nursing home injury attorney at Dinizulu Law Group for a free consultation at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for more information.