Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Nursing home abuse and neglect causes terrible injuries and compromises the health and dignity of the elderly. Perhaps no case is more emotionally troubling for family members. Illinois nursing home attorneys John J. Malm and Jason P. Schneider are tireless advocates for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect.

When we place a loved one in the care of a nursing home, we expect the nursing home will take proper care of them. However, too often nursing homes fail to either hire an adequate number of staff members or provide them with proper training. This leads a level of care that is less than adequate for many Illinois nursing home residents.

In response to the growing problem of nursing home abuse and neglect, Illinois passed the Nursing Home Care Act. (210 ILCS 45/1 113). The Nursing Home Care Act protects the rights and safety of nursing home residents and holds nursing homes responsible for failure to provide adequate care.

What Actions Constitute Claims for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Illinois?

Unfortunately, many nursing home abuse and neglect cases may arise from:

  • Bed Sores and Ulcers
  • Sepsis
  • Falls
  • Physical or Sexual Assault or Abuse
  • Malnutrition or Dehydration
  • Medication errors
  • Insufficient protection from patient attacks
  • Infection due to neglect
  • Failure to diagnose bed sores, infections, and other diseases
  • Bed rail injuries

While this list is not exclusive, it represents the common types of abuse Illinois nursing home residents suffer on a daily basis. These acts have profound effects on the patient both emotionally, physically, and financially.

What are the Common Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

While every case is unique, certain warning signs may point to nursing home abuse and neglect. Common warnings signs include unexplained falls, dehydration, a sudden change in personality or mood, development of bed sores, unexpected bruises or skin discoloration, and rapid weight loss. If a nursing home patient exhibits any of these symptoms, contact one of our Illinois nursing home lawyers to determine if the symptom may be related to nursing home abuse and neglect.

What is the Role of the Illinois Department of Public Health in Nursing Home Cases?

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act was passed to protect the rights of residents of “long-term care facilities”. Under the Nursing Home Care Act, a “long-term facility” is defined as “a private home, institution, building, residence, or any other place, whether operated for profit or not, or a county home for the infirm and chronically ill … for 3 or more persons, not related to the applicant or owner by blood or marriage.” The Illinois Department of Public Health is the state agency with the authority to enforce the rules promulgated by the Illinois legislature under the Nursing Home Care Act. If you or your loved one suffers abuse or neglect in an Illinois nursing home, your concerns should be reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The Illinois Department of Public Health will investigate your complaint (without notice to the nursing home) and issue a report.

What Actions Should You Take if You or a Loved One has Experienced Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect at an Illinois Nursing Home?

If you or a loved one has experienced nursing home abuse and neglect, you should contact one of the Illinois nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates. Our attorneys will answer your questions, thoroughly investigate your nursing home abuse and neglect claim, and work with you and your family to achieve the fair and just result you deserve. We proudly represent Illinois nursing home residents and their families in Dupage County, Cook County, Kane County, and throughout the state of Illinois.

Some of Our Firm's Current Nursing Home Cases:

Nursing Home Neglect Results in Death of Elderly Man After Fall Down

DuPage County nursing home lawyers, The Law Offices of John J. Malm & Associates, have been retained to represent the family of an elderly man who suffered fatal head injury when he fell at a nursing home in downstate Illinois. Nursing home personnel failed to monitor the resident, who was a known fall risk. The victim suffered from dementia and was wheelchair bound. He required the supervision of the staff of the nursing home, because he suffered from instability and was susceptible to falls. The elderly man had been left alone in a bathroom and fell, suffering a serious head injury, which ultimately resulted in his death. The family has retained Naperville personal injury lawyer, John Malm, to bring a claim against the nursing home for failing to monitor their father. Damages in excess of $1,000,000 are being sought against the nursing home and its staff.

Carelessness of Nursing Staff Leads to Stage 4 Bed Sores for Diabetic Man

Naperville nursing home lawyers, The Law Offices of John J. Malm & Associates, have been retained to represent a man who suffered a horrific bed sore in a hospital, after being admitted in a diabetic coma. While hospitalized, he remained in a coma for several days. During his stay, the staff failed to adequately monitor him and turn him in accordance with the standard of care for bedridden patients. As a result, the man developed a stage 4 bed sore on his rear end, requiring surgery and resulting in permanent injuries. The man has retained DuPage County personal injury lawyer, John Malm, and is seeking damages in excess of $1,000,000 against the hospital and its staff.


Settlement Reached in Nursing Home Neglect Case

A confidential settlement has been reached by DuPage County nursing home lawyer John Malm and others in a nursing home negligence case that was brought on behalf of the family of and elderly man who became severely ill and died while in the care of a Chicago nursing home. Personnel from the nursing home failed to contact the family even after the man coded. The nursing home’s neglect of the elderly man was compounded by the fact that nursing home staff failed to even call an ambulance after the man became ill. He eventually coded and died. When he died, the nursing home again failed to contact the family. Without the family’s permission, the man was eventually buried in a concrete box wearing only a hospital gown, without a proper religious funeral and without his family or loved ones in attendance. The lawsuit sought damages against the nursing home and its staff. A negotiated settlement in the case was obtained on behalf of the family after the completion of numerous depositions of nursing home personnel and before a jury trial was scheduled to begin.

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