Chicago, IL–If your loved one was abused or neglected by a nursing home staffer in Chicago and the facility offers you a settlement to avoid litigation or to settle a pending lawsuit, there are a few things to consider before accepting the settlement.
Anytime a settlement is accepted in a nursing home abuse or neglect case, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to pursue the negligent party for any additional compensation in the future should you need it. Once a settlement arrangement is agreed upon by all parties involved, the case usually ends there.
With that said, there are several factors you’ll want to take into account before you accept a settlement in a nursing home abuse or neglect case.
Factors to consider before accepting a settlement from a negligent nursing home in Illinois
- The settlement amount.
If you’ve threatened to sue an Illinois nursing home or have already taken legal action and are offered a settlement, you’ll want to consider whether the amount is enough to cover the damages you or your loved one suffered. With most personal injury cases, including those stemming from nursing home abuse or neglect, a victim can generally seek compensation for things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, and more.
Before you agree to a settlement, you’ll want to be sure you’re being compensated for the damages that were suffered. For instance, if you had to seek medical attention following the incident or relocate to a different long-term care facility, you should be awarded compensation to make up for the expenses you incurred.
If you’re uncertain as to what damages you’re entitled to collect or how much you should be provided for each, a skilled Chicago nursing home abuse attorney at our firm can certainly help with this.
- Whether you’re being compensated for pain and suffering.
The Legal Information Institute defines pain and suffering as the “physical discomfort and emotional distress” you suffered as a result of the incident. If the incident has caused you or your loved one to suffer physical pain or a mental illness such as depression, you may be entitled to recover compensation for this.
“Pain and suffering” is categorized as a non-economic damage and therefore, it is hard to value. If you aren’t sure whether your settlement includes compensation for pain and suffering or if you’re being offered a fair amount, you can always contact our nursing home abuse law firm in Chicago to have one of our lawyers review the offer.
- Whether the settlement includes compensation for the long-term effects the abuse or neglect will have on you or your loved one.
Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse can lead to you or a loved one suffering long-term effects. If you suffered a severe injury that now impacts your health and wellbeing, you should be awarded compensation to make up for this.
Knowing when to accept a settlement in a nursing home abuse or neglect case isn’t always easy to do. Thankfully, the Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are more than capable of determining whether your settlement is fair and reasonable.
Simply put, it’s always a good idea to seek legal advice from an experienced Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer before accepting any amount of money from a nursing home.
Considering filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit in Illinois? We’re here to help.
If you believe your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect and you’re looking to obtain financial relief, you are encouraged to contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. to discuss filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Our experienced team of Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys will review the details of your matter and determine if you have the grounds to sue.
Let Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. help you take a stand against nursing home abuse
Elder abuse is common in long-term care settings, particularly nursing homes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “two in three staff reported that they have committed abuse in the past year.” Sadly, WHO also reported that elder abuse is likely to increase “as many countries are experiencing rapidly aging populations.”
If you suspect that your loved one was abused or neglected while under the care of a nursing home, our skilled nursing home abuse attorneys in Chicago, IL are here to help. If you’re feeling confused or frustrated, we’d be happy to take the time to address your concerns and discuss your loved one’s rights.
It can sometimes be difficult to prove nursing home abuse or neglect which is why we encourage you to enlist the help of a lawyer who can do this for you.
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
