Nursing Home Neglect Attorney | Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd

NCEA Survey: 44 Percent of Nursing Home Residents Suffer Abuse

December 7, 2016/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

Finding the perfect nursing home for a loved one is no easy feat. Reading online reviews, speaking with nursing home staff and residents, inspecting the facility – the process takes time. But all that effort is essential for ensuring that your family member receives the best possible care.

Unfortunately, far too many long-term care facilities hire unqualified staff or do not screen or train their staff sufficiently. This often leads to the abuse, neglect or exploitation of residents.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), a survey of 2,000 nursing home residents revealed that 44 percent had experienced abuse, and 95 percent had been neglected or witnessed the neglect of another resident. According to the most recent data from the NCEA, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. nursing homes were cited for violations of federal standards that either had the potential to cause harm or that had caused harm to a resident between 1999 and 2001.

There’s no doubting the fact that nursing home abuse, neglect and exploitation are widespread. An estimated 70 percent of people aged 65 and older can expect to use a long-term care facility at some point, which means that millions of senior citizens are vulnerable to mistreatment.

If you or a member of your family was a victim of nursing home abuse in Illinois, contact The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. The at-fault staff member or facility may be liable for economic and non-economic damages related to the incident.

Yao O. Dinizulu is an elder abuse attorney in Chicago who will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 312-384-1920 to schedule a consultation. You can also learn more about nursing home abuse lawsuits in Illinois by visiting USAttorneys.com.

Common Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse

Only 1 in 14 cases of nursing home abuse get reported. The reason? Some residents are not physically able to report mistreatment; others are too afraid to take action.

If your loved one is in a nursing home, it is critical that you look for these signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation:

Physical Symptoms

Bruises and welts are common signs of physical abuse. Neglect can also cause physical symptoms such as bedsores and poor hygiene. You should also look for signs of restraint on the ankles and wrists.

Psychological Symptoms

Victims of abuse or neglect are often depressed. They also may be abnormally irritable or display other atypical personality traits.

Financial Symptoms

It is not uncommon for caregivers to exploit nursing home residents financially. Look out for changes to your loved one’s will or financial transfers to a caregiver’s account.

If you believe that your family member is a victim of nursing home abuse, you should report the incident to the Illinois Department of Human Services by calling 1-866-800-1409. Contact the police if he or she is in immediate danger.

Then, consult a Chicago elder abuse attorney from The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. Yao O. Dinizulu will help you recover the maximum compensation from the at-fault nursing home or staff member. Call 312-384-1920 today to schedule a consultation.

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit – Where Do I Start?

November 28, 2016/in Blog, Car accident injury law, nursing home neglect, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law, Wrongful death action/by Yao Dinizulu

While no amount of money can bring back a loved one, wrongful death lawsuits are designed to compensate family members of those killed by negligence. Under the law you are entitled to both economic and non-economic damages . Economic damages are a dollar amount that’s decided based on the deceased’s income, funeral expenses, medical expenses etc. Non-economic damages address the pain and loss of companionship that family members will face as a result of the death.A professional and experienced wrongful death attorney understands that it’s important that you be compensated for both damages. Insurance companies and other responsible parties fight aggressively to refuse or limit your fair payment. To get the compensation you deserve, it’s important that a skillful wrongful death attorney is representing you.

Proving a Wrongful Death Claim

In building your claim, an experienced wrongful death lawyer will understand that there may be many more complexities regarding your case. People you might not have even thought about could be liable. For example, in a single car accident caused by a road in poor condition, the city who owns the road, the contractors responsible for maintaining it, or a number of other groups may be liable depending on the facts of the case.

Time Limits on Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Additionally, it’s very important to file a wrongful death case fairly quickly. Otherwise, your case may get barred by the statute of limitations. In Illinois, generally a wrongful death claim against a private entity or corporation must be filed within two years from the date of the accident, but there are exceptions to this time limit. Certain cases only have a one year limit for filing and some others have longer than two years. Please contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd to learn which time limits apply in your case. Waiting too long can prevent you from filing the lawsuit at all.

Waiting any longer than necessary creates other problems too. The scene of an accident changes quickly after the road is opened to traffic again. The vehicles that may have been involved in the wreck will be repaired by the owners or possibly destroyed. Witnesses will become harder to locate, and records will be misplaced.

Time may not be on your side but the compassionate and experienced wrongful death attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd will work with you to determine the best way to handle your wrongful death claim. Contact us to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced wrongful death lawyers today.

How Can I Prove Nursing Home Abuse?

November 22, 2016/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

The first time you check your elderly relative into a nursing home, you are bound to feel a little anxious. After all, this is an important person who has played a major role in your life – and your loved one deserves reliable care in a safe, comfortable environment.

6 Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Nursing Home

November 14, 2016/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

Looking after an elderly parent or grandparent can be a full-time job. If you cannot provide for the medical needs of your loved one, then it may be time to consider the benefits of nursing homes.

What Should You Do If You Believe Someone Is the Victim of Elder Abuse?

November 14, 2016/in Blog, Elder abuse/by Yao Dinizulu

By the time they reach the grand old age of 60, our parents and grandparents have earned the right to a peaceful retirement. They should be cared for in a safe, comfortable setting by professionals who understand their needs. Unfortunately, many long-term care facilities do not screen or train their employees well enough – and residents suffer the consequences.

How Common Is Elder Abuse [DATA]?

November 2, 2016/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

The growing elder population in the United States has sparked a higher demand for nursing homes. Unfortunately, this has inspired profit-minded entrepreneurs to open retirement homes without the credentials or ethical compass to offer reliable care.

What Are the 7 Most Common Types of Elder Abuse?

October 21, 2016/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

Nursing home residents and their loved ones expect long-term care facilities to provide reliable care in a safe, comfortable environment. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect are deplorably common.