CHICAGO, IL – Elder abuse and neglect are distressing issues that can lead to severe, often life-threatening injuries. This problem is unfortunately widespread, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that one in six individuals aged 60 or older has experienced some form of abuse in the past year. In the United States, official statistics report that one in ten older adults falls victim to elder abuse annually. However, alarmingly, only one in 24 cases of elder abuse is reported. WHO data further highlights a stark disparity: while only 10%-17% of abuse cases are reported, a staggering 66% of nursing home staff admit to engaging in abusive behavior. This significant gap raises critical questions about why elder abuse remains underreported, particularly in Springfield and across Illinois.
At the Dinizulu Law Group, our dedicated nursing home abuse lawyers are committed to addressing these critical issues. We handle cases of abuse, neglect and wrongful death throughout Illinois. Our goal is to help victims and their families secure the compensation they deserve under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act. This Act establishes specific rights for residents and mandates that nursing homes and long-term care facilities uphold these standards. If you believe that these rights have been violated, contact our firm at (312) 384-1920 for a free case evaluation.
What Constitutes Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse encompasses a wide range of harmful conduct towards individuals in long-term care settings. The various forms of elder abuse include:
- Physical Abuse: This involves direct harm through hitting, kicking, biting, or other forms of physical contact.
- Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Includes verbal mistreatment such as name-calling, ignoring pleas for help, refusing visitation and other forms of emotional harm.
- Abandonment: Leaving a resident without necessary care or assistance.
- Sexual Abuse: Encompasses inappropriate touching, verbal sexual abuse and more severe acts like rape.
- Neglect: Failing to meet a resident’s needs, which can stem from intentional disregard or understaffing.
- Financial Abuse: Involves misuse of a resident’s financial resources, such as stealing personal property, unauthorized use of credit cards or manipulation of wills.
- Other Types of Harm: Includes various other forms of mistreatment that can be devastating to residents.
Why Do Victims of Elder Abuse Often Remain Silent?
Despite the high incidence of elder abuse, many cases go unreported for several reasons:
- Fear: Victims often face abuse from those in positions of power, such as staff members. This fear can be exacerbated by threats of further harm or retaliation. Victims may worry about losing their care or being expelled from the facility if they report the abuse.
- Inability to Report: Abusers frequently target those who are unable to report their mistreatment, including individuals who are comatose, sedated, or suffering from cognitive impairments like dementia. These conditions can severely limit a victim’s ability to communicate or understand their situation.
- Lack of Recognition: Some victims may not realize they are being abused, especially in cases of grooming or manipulation. For instance, a relationship that starts with seemingly benign gestures can mask abusive behavior that victims might mistake for consent.
- Difficulty in Detection: Certain forms of abuse, such as financial exploitation or neglect, can be subtle and difficult to identify. Victims and their families might struggle to notice signs of abuse, which can be obscured by the facility’s apparent limitations.
- Challenges in Reporting: Emotional and psychological abuse is particularly challenging to report due to the lack of physical evidence and the subjective nature of the abuse. This makes it harder for victims to substantiate their claims, especially if they are ill or unable to articulate their experiences.
Seeking Legal Help for Elder Abuse
There are many factors that contribute to the underreporting of elder abuse, including the possibility that victims may pass away from their injuries or that evidence might be controlled by the defendants. This underscores the importance of involving an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer.
At the Dinizulu Law Group, we are dedicated to helping victims of elder abuse, neglect, and negligence. Our compassionate legal team is here to support you and your family in recovering the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation with one of our skilled Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers, contact us today at (312) 384-1920 or through our website’s contact form. Let us help you ensure that justice is served and your loved ones are protected.
