Oak Lawn Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Legal Help for Nursing Home Abuse Victims in Oak Lawn, IL

If you suspect a loved one is experiencing neglect or abuse in an Oak Lawn nursing home, you have legal options. Our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers have successfully handled nursing home abuse cases throughout Illinois, including Chicago. We help families seek compensation for medical costs, emotional suffering, and other damages while ensuring facilities are held accountable.

Families place their loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living facilities expecting professional care, dignity, and safety. However, neglect, abuse, and medical errors are far too common in long-term care facilities. Whether due to understaffing, inadequate training, or outright mistreatment, nursing home abuse can result in serious injuries, emotional trauma, or wrongful death.

Recent Nursing Home Abuse Settlements

Victims and their families have obtained significant financial recoveries for mistreatment in nursing homes. Recent settlements include:

• $1,500,000 settlement for a dementia patient who ingested toxic chemicals left unsecured in a storage closet, leading to fatal poisoning.
• $810,000 settlement for a nursing home resident with dementia who was sexually assaulted by a maintenance worker sexually assaulted.
• $610,000 settlement for a resident who suffered multiple fractures after staff mishandled a Hoyer lift, dropping them during a transfer.

These cases highlight the severe consequences of nursing home neglect and the need for legal accountability when facilities fail to protect residents.

Types of Compensation Available in a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit

Victims and their families may be eligible to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses resulting from injuries caused by neglect or abuse
• Pain and suffering due to physical harm or emotional distress
• Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one due to negligence
• Relocation costs if a move to a safer facility is required

While many nursing home abuse cases settle out of court, we are prepared to take cases to trial if necessary to secure full compensation.

Oak Lawn, Illinois: A Community with Assisted Living and Nursing Homes

Located in Cook County, just southwest of Chicago, Oak Lawn is a bustling suburban community known for its parks, healthcare services, and strong senior resources. The village is home to Wolfe Wildlife Refuge and Centennial Park, which offer seniors recreational activities and green space. Oak Lawn is also home to Advocate Christ Medical Center, a leading healthcare provider in the region, offering specialized care for seniors.

Oak Lawn has nursing homes, assisted living centers, and memory care facilities for elderly residents needing long-term care. Notable facilities in the area include:​

• Aperion Care Oak Lawn: Offers personalized post-hospital care and rehabilitation with 24-hour skilled nursing services. The facility provides therapy seven days per week in an on-site state-of-the-art therapy gym. It has achieved The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for compliance with national standards for advanced rehabilitation services, healthcare quality, and patient and resident safety. 
• Warren Barr Oak Lawn: Provides short-term physical, occupational, and speech therapies, along with skilled nursing services delivered by a professional team experienced in caring for older adults. ​
• Oak Lawn Respiratory & Rehabilitation Center: Dedicated to providing exceptional care, this facility offers rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, aiming for lifelong results, whether for short-term or long-term care. ​
• Grace Point Place: A memory care community offering compassionate care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cognitive impairments. The facility focuses on person-centered support to address residents’ physical, emotional, and social needs. 

While many facilities in Oak Lawn provide excellent services, some have been cited for issues such as poor staffing, unsanitary conditions, and failure to prevent injuries. For example, Aperion Care Oak Lawn was fined $25,000 for a Type A violation, indicating serious deficiencies in care.

Families researching nursing home options should carefully review inspection reports, safety violations, and resident complaints before choosing a facility.

How to Evaluate Nursing Homes and Their Safety Records?

Before selecting a nursing home—or if you suspect neglect—families can research facility performance through:

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Ratings – A five-star rating system evaluating staffing levels, health inspections, and overall quality of care.
• Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Long-Term Care Reports – Provides inspection records, complaints, and past violations for nursing homes across Illinois.

These resources help families make informed decisions and identify potential red flags before placing a loved one in a facility.

Legal Protections for Nursing Home Residents in Illinois

State and federal laws exist to protect nursing home residents from abuse and neglect. Key regulations include:

• Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45) – Establishes resident rights and nursing home care standards to prevent mistreatment.
• Federal Nursing Home Reform Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395i-3) – Requires proper medical care, staffing, and quality measures in federally funded nursing homes.
• Chicago Municipal Code 4-6-100 – Regulates nursing home operations, staffing requirements, and elder protections within city limits.

Nursing homes that violate these protections can be held legally accountable for the harm caused to residents.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Families should watch for common warning signs that indicate a loved one may be suffering from neglect or abuse, including:

• Unexplained injuries – Bruises, fractures, or burns
• Poor hygiene and malnutrition – Signs of dehydration, weight loss, or dirty conditions
• Sudden behavioral changes – Fearfulness, withdrawal, or depression
• Financial exploitation – Unauthorized withdrawals, missing valuables, or changes in wills

If you notice these warning signs, document them and take immediate action.

Steps to Take If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

Step 1: Identify Signs of Neglect or Mistreatment

• Look for physical injuries, emotional distress, or unsanitary conditions.
• Speak with your loved one and ask about their care and treatment.

Step 2: Report the Abuse

• Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH): 1-800-252-4343
• Chicago Adult Protective Services: (312) 744-4016

Step 3: Gather Evidence

• Take photographs of injuries or unsafe conditions.
• Obtain medical records and staff reports.
• Speak with other residents or their families about any concerns.

Step 4: Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

An attorney with experience in elder abuse cases can investigate the facility, collect medical evidence, and pursue compensation on behalf of your loved one.

How an Oak Lawn Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help

At Nursing Home Law Center, we advocate for families throughout Illinois, including Oak Lawn and Chicago, in holding negligent nursing homes accountable. Our legal team will:

• Investigate facility history, staffing issues, and past violations
• Collect medical records, expert testimony, and witness statements
• Negotiate settlements to ensure fair compensation
• Take cases to trial if necessary to hold facilities responsible

Time Limits for Filing a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Illinois

Illinois law sets strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit against a nursing home:

• Personal injury claims (735 ILCS 5/13-202) – Must be filed within two years from the date the injury was discovered.
• Wrongful death claims (735 ILCS 5/13-209) – Must be filed within two years from the date of death.

Missing these deadlines can prevent families from seeking compensation, so taking legal action quickly is critical.

Contact an Oak Lawn Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today

If your loved one has suffered nursing home abuse or neglect in Oak Lawn, do not wait. Our attorneys are ready to investigate, build your case, and fight for the compensation your family deserves. Call (800) 926-7565 today for a free consultation.