Near North Side Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Legal Help for Nursing Home Abuse Victims in Near North Side, Chicago 

The Near North Side community area is one of the most prestigious areas in Chicago. It’s home to the Gold Coast, Old Town, Navy Pier, and Magnificient Mile. It’s also home to over 105,000 residents, many of which are senior citizens in nursing homes. 

Due to the wealth and affluence of this area, there are many great care facilities, but families are concerned about reports of several understaffed facilities and homes that have failed health inspections.

Speaking with an attorney is essential to understanding your options when you’re faced with a tough reality around a family member in a nursing facility. Our Chicago nursing home neglect attorneys understand the complexities of nursing home law and can help you determine whether your suspicions about your loved one’s care hold merit. 

Recent Nursing Home Abuse Settlements in Chicago

Working with an attorney who can show you a proven track record of success helps you trust their advice and want their representation. We’re proud of our accomplishments, which include the following settlements:

• A $1.5 million settlement from a group home after residents were able to abuse other patients without adequate security and prevention measures in place
• A $3 million settlement on behalf of a man who died from complications linked to pressure sores at a skilled nursing home
• A $2.33 million settlement for two women sexually assaulted by their CNA

Whether you just want to recover the financial compensation you need to pay for medical treatment and other expenses or are angry at a nursing facility you feel acted with reckless disregard, we can help. Sometimes, the only path to accountability and change is through a financial reward or settlement. 

Near North Side’s Healthcare and Nursing Home Landscape

The Near North Side community is densely packed with homes, businesses, and landmarks. There is an even mix of good and bad nursing facilities, which is both good news and means for pause if you’re considering placing a loved one under long-term care. While some facilities have received perfect five-star ratings from Medicare, there are over 200 facilities in the area.

This area is also home to Mount Sinai Hospital, Kindred North Hospital, and Rush University Medical Center. Residents have many healthcare providers in a small swatch of land to choose from, so finding better care for a loved one who is being neglected is possible. 

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities in the Near North Side

As mentioned, there are over 200 nursing homes in the Near North Side area. The top facilities include Terraces at the Clare, Little Sisters of the Poo, and The Admiral at the Lake, but homes to be concerned about include the following:

• Lakeview Rehab & Nursing Center, which received 23 health citations and 35 complaints in the last three years
• Alden Lincoln Rehab & Health Care Center, cited for being understaffed and unable to accommodate all patient needs
• Avantara Lincoln Park, which has been assessed over $63,000 in federal fines over the last three years

What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Nursing Home Abuse Case?

When discussing potential compensation, pay attention to the different types of compensation that can be awarded and how it can impact your claim. When considering these cases, awards are based on the following:

• What it costs for medical treatment for injuries associated with the neglect or abuse the patient went through
• Pain and suffering that wouldn’t have occurred if not for the offenses nursing home staff committed 
• Compensation paid to the family of a patient who died due to their injuries (Wrongful Death)
• The cost of moving someone out of a negligent facility and into the hospital or another care facility

Learn more during a free consultation with a nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer in the Near North Side.

Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

The first thing to do when you’re worried about nursing home abuse and neglect is to follow your gut. It’s better to investigate and find no evidence of wrongdoing than to worry that your loved one is suffering. Some potential signs of neglect or abuse include:

• Unexplained weight loss, weakness or dehydration
• Sudden onset of confusion that can’t be explained by a neurological disorder
• Your loved one reports things to you themselves
• Bruises, especially on the wrists and ankles, which may indicate physical abuse or restraint
• Infections or pressure ulcers that don’t go away or occur frequently
• Any incident that leads to hospitalization 

Accidents do happen and not every patient injury is a nursing home’s fault. However, many cases are unreported and may have weight in a court of law. For this reason, it’s a good idea to consider whether the nursing facility may indeed be to blame when a loved one is hurt.

How to Check Nursing Home Ratings and Complaints in the Near North Side

The Illinois Department of Public Health provides a record database for Illinois residents to search. You can see whether a nursing home has received citations in the past and what they’re for. 

When considering placing your loved one in a nursing home, location is only one of the factors you should consider. Sometimes, a facility that’s a little farther away may provide better care.

Another source you can use is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website. It offers a link to the Medicare healthcare facility search tool. You can search by name of facility or proximity to an address.

Legal Protections for Nursing Home Residents in Illinois

Chicago residents are protected by multiple laws, so there are many ways to hold negligent nursing homes accountable. The following laws are most applicable in nursing abuse cases:

• The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act, which was implemented in 1989 to protect seniors and disabled adults nationwide.
• The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, which was passed in 2022 to add layers of protection for seniors that may not exist in federal laws.

Steps to Take If You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect in the Near North Side

Taking action as soon as you realize something’s wrong is very important. It protects the patient and ensures the best possible outcome for your case. Take the following steps:

• Gather evidence by taking photos of anything you see that’s out of place, keeping medical records, and asking others if they’re willing to make statements. 
• Report the abuse to Adult Protective Services at 1-866-800-1409 or the IDPH Hotline at 1-800-252-4343.
• Schedule appointments with nursing home neglect and abuse lawyers to review your options and retain the attorney you feel will best represent you.

Consult a Near North Side Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Near You!

An experienced Chicago nursing home abuse attorney knows from previous cases how to gather evidence, prepare statements, speak with healthcare providers, and litigate cases that can’t be settled outside of court. Our lawyers’ experience speaks for itself, with millions of dollars in settlements recovered for victims of nursing home negligence and abuse. 

Call (800) 926-7595 today for your free consultation.