Illinois Deep Vein Thrombosis Nursing Home Lawyers

Attorneys for Residents Who Develop DVT Resulting from Abuse or Neglect

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs. If a clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening emergency. In nursing homes and long-term care facilities, residents are especially vulnerable to DVT due to immobility, chronic illness, and insufficient care practices. When this vulnerability is compounded by abuse or neglect, such as failure to reposition immobile residents, DVT may not only be a medical diagnosis but also a sign of systemic care failures.

At John J. Malm & Associates, our Illinois nursing home injury attorneys are dedicated advocates for individuals and families who have been harmed by negligence, abuse, or systemic failures in care. Our firm is built on a commitment to accountability, whether that means standing up to careless drivers, negligent property owners, or nursing homes that fail to protect their most vulnerable residents. With over 95 years of combined experience and a reputation for thorough case preparation, we approach every matter with the same focus: protecting our clients’ rights, pursuing meaningful compensation, and delivering the attentive, personalized representation they deserve.

“When an individual is placed in a nursing home, the expectation is that care and dignity will be upheld. Too often, preventable conditions like deep vein thrombosis arise not just from medical vulnerability, but from lapses in basic care. Facilities that fail to implement standard protocols for mobilization and assessment must be held accountable for the harm they allow.” — John J. Malm, Naperville nursing home negligence attorney

Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a form of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes both DVT and pulmonary embolism. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 900,000 people in the United States are affected by VTE each year, and an estimated 60,000–100,000 Americans die annually from VTE. These statistics illustrate the serious public health impact of blood clots.

DVT typically forms in the deep veins of the legs due to slowed blood flow, damage to the vein lining, or increased blood clotting tendency. In clinical settings, common risk factors include recent surgery, trauma, cancer, and immobilization. Immobility is one of the strongest risk factors: studies show that bed rest and reduced mobility significantly increase the likelihood of clots forming in the deep veins.

DVT in Nursing Home Residents

Nursing home residents are particularly susceptible to DVT because of chronic immobility, advanced age, and multiple comorbidities. Research shows that residents in long-term care facilities have a high prevalence of asymptomatic DVT, up to 18 percent in a study of chronically immobile patients, underscoring how common these clots are among those who are bedridden or have severely limited mobility.

Another study analyzing nursing home populations found the incidence of venous thromboembolic events (including DVT and PE) among residents to be 3.7 cases per 100 person-years of residence, indicating that approximately 1 in 25 nursing home admissions had a VTE diagnosis before or during stay.

Federal public health analyses also note that nursing home residency itself is an overlooked risk factor for DVT and PE, with residents being more than twice as likely as community‐dwelling adults to develop these conditions. Moreover, nursing home residents account for over 13 percent of all non-hospital VTE events, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring in these settings.

Why Nursing Home Residents Are Vulnerable to Developing DVT

Several factors contribute to the heightened risk of DVT in the nursing home population:

• Immobility and Prolonged Bed Rest: Many residents are confined to beds or wheelchairs due to disability, advanced age, or chronic illness, dramatically slowing blood flow in the legs.
• Inadequate Repositioning: Regular repositioning and assisted ambulation are essential to maintain circulation. Failure to provide these basic care measures increases clot risk.
• Understaffing and Poor Training: A high prevalence of understaffing in nursing facilities can result in missed care tasks, including mobilization and monitoring for early signs of DVT.
• Comorbid Conditions: Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia, and other chronic conditions common in nursing home populations elevate VTE risk.
• Diagnostic Challenges: Cognitive impairment may prevent residents from reporting symptoms such as leg pain, swelling, or shortness of breath, making early recognition harder.

These systemic vulnerabilities mean that DVT may not just arise from a resident’s medical history but can be preventable with proper care practices.

DVT as a Complication of Nursing Home Neglect

DVT rarely occurs spontaneously; it is strongly tied to immobility. Nursing home neglect often involves failure to implement standard care practices that prevent complications from prolonged immobility, including:

• Failure to reposition residents regularly
• Lack of assisted ambulation or physical activity
• Inadequate observation of skin and extremity changes
• Failure to consult medical providers when risk factors increase

When a facility fails to recognize and address immobility, residents may develop not only bedsores and pressure ulcers but also deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to pulmonary embolism and death. These failures can be indicators of neglect and a breach of the standard of care required under federal and state nursing home regulations.

Signs and Symptoms of DVT

Recognizing DVT early is critical because treatment can prevent complications such as PE. Common signs and symptoms of DVT include:

• Swelling in one leg (or arm), often with no clear external cause
• Pain, tenderness, or cramping in the affected limb
• Red or discolored skin over the area of the clot
• Warmth in the area surrounding the clot
• Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain if a clot travels to the lungs (suggestive of a pulmonary embolism)

Because some residents may have cognitive impairment or difficulty communicating discomfort, caregivers should routinely assess physical changes that could signal DVT.

Preventing DVT in Nursing Homes

Prevention of DVT in long-term care settings requires a multi-pronged approach. Facilities should implement protocols that include:

• Regular repositioning schedules for immobile residents.
• Assisted ambulation and mobility exercises when feasible.
• Use of graduated compression stockings or sequential compression devices when indicated.
• Routine assessment of VTE risk factors, including history of clots and recent immobilization.
• Training staff to recognize early signs and escalate medical care promptly.

These preventive measures are standard in hospital settings and must be applied to nursing homes to reduce unnecessary harm.

Legal Implications of DVT from Nursing Home Neglect

Under federal and state regulations, nursing homes are required to provide adequate care to prevent foreseeable harm to residents. Ignoring risk factors for DVT or failing to implement standard preventive measures may constitute neglect or abuse. Families may have legal grounds to pursue claims for compensation when neglect leads to:

• Medical expenses and prolonged hospitalization;
• Permanent disability from complications;
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress;
• Wrongful death in cases where DVT or PE proves fatal.

Evidence of negligence may include medical records showing lack of repositioning, inadequate assessments, delayed response to symptoms, and failure to follow a physician’s orders.

Common Mistakes That Lead to DVT Neglect in Nursing Homes

Nursing homes often fail at fundamental levels, including:

• Understaffing: Facilities with insufficient staff are more likely to skip critical care tasks.
• Poor Training: Staff unfamiliar with DVT risk factors and early signs are ineffective at prevention.
• Inadequate Documentation: Failure to document care plans and resident assessments can hide neglect.
• Delayed Response to Symptoms: Ignoring complaints of leg pain or swelling can allow clots to worsen.

These systemic issues are not simply unfortunate, they can be actionable when they lead to harm.

Frequently Asked Questions about DVT in Nursing Home Residents

Q: What is DVT and why is it dangerous?
A: Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. It’s dangerous because if the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism, which may be fatal without prompt treatment.

Q: Are nursing home residents more likely to get DVT?
A: Yes. Nursing home residents are at higher risk due to prolonged immobility, chronic illness, and age-related factors. Studies show a notable incidence of venous thromboembolism during nursing home stays.

Q: Can DVT be prevented in long-term care facilities?
A: Yes. Prevention requires regular repositioning, mobility assistance, risk assessments, and proper clinician oversight. Failure to provide these can be a sign of neglect.

Q: What are the signs of DVT to watch for in residents?
A: Signs include swelling, tenderness, warmth, redness of a limb, and unexplained discomfort. Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain may indicate a pulmonary embolism.

Q: Is DVT a sign of nursing home neglect?
A: Not always, but when it develops due to failure to implement basic preventive care or ignore risk factors, it can indicate neglect. Each case must be evaluated on its individual circumstances.

Contact the Trusted Illinois Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Deep vein thrombosis in a nursing home resident is more than a medical diagnosis, it can be a symptom of inadequate care, neglect, and systemic failures. When facilities fail to protect vulnerable residents from preventable conditions like DVT, families may be entitled to pursue justice and compensation.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we understand the medical, emotional, and legal complexities that arise when a loved one suffers harm in a nursing home. Our Illinois nursing home injury attorneys are experienced in investigating nursing home neglect claims, gathering medical evidence, and holding care facilities accountable for preventable injuries. If you suspect that negligence led to DVT or other complications for your loved one, do not wait. Contact our firm today for a free consultation. We will evaluate your situation, explain your rights, and help you pursue the compensation your family deserves.