Cicero Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

When placing a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility, ensuring their safety and well-being is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, instances of nursing home abuse still occur, and it can manifest in various forms. If you or a family member has experienced mistreatment, a Cicero nursing home abuse lawyer can help you seek justice and fair compensation.

Legal action not only holds abusers accountable but also helps prevent further abuse of other residents in the nursing facility. An experienced attorney will guide you through the process, ensuring that the rights of nursing home residents are protected and that the abuse they suffered is properly addressed.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, our priority is to seek justice and compensation for those affected by nursing home abuse. Our dedicated team has extensive experience in this area and a strong history of successfully managing abuse cases and achieving notable verdicts and settlements.

We conduct comprehensive investigations to address every aspect of the abuse, including covering medical treatment costs, emotional distress, and other damages. Leveraging our deep knowledge of nursing home abuse claims, we handle the legal process effectively, fighting to uphold your rights.

We provide compassionate, transparent guidance throughout your case, ensuring you and your family feel supported, informed, and secure at every stage.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Cicero Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse refers to the mistreatment or harm inflicted on residents by caregivers, nursing staff members, or even other patients. Abuse can take on many forms, and our dedicated team of experienced nursing home abuse attorneys in Cicero handles a wide range of cases, including:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse in assisted living facilities involves intentional harm such as hitting, slapping, or using excessive force. Another form of abuse is the improper use of restraints, whether physical or chemical, which can cause severe physical and psychological harm to elderly residents.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Mental and emotional abuse can involve intimidation, humiliation, threats, or other forms of verbal abuse. A nursing home resident subjected to this form of abuse may suffer from depression, anxiety, or social withdrawal, severely impacting their mental well-being and quality of life.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is any non-consensual sexual contact with a nursing home resident. Sadly, elderly patients, particularly those with cognitive impairments, are vulnerable to sexual exploitation in nursing facilities.

Medical Malpractice

Medical errors in an assisted living facility, such as the development of bedsores, medication errors, or improper wound care, are common forms of nursing home neglect. These lapses in care can lead to serious injuries, infections, or even death.

Negligence

Nursing home negligence often includes inadequate medical care, such as poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, and failure to supervise residents, leading to injuries or even wrongful death. Elopement, where residents wander off and go missing, can also result from negligence.

Financial Abuse

Financial exploitation involves the abuse of nursing home patients by stealing or misusing their money or property. This often includes unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts, fraudulent changes to wills, or pressure to sign financial documents.

Wrongful Death

If a resident dies due to nursing home abuse or negligence, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim. This legal recourse allows surviving family members to seek compensation for the emotional and financial losses associated with their loved one’s death.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Both federal and state laws safeguard the rights of nursing home residents.

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 requires nursing facilities to provide a standard level of care while maintaining residents’ dignity, safety, and well-being. Illinois law further supports these rights, with additional protections and oversight by the Illinois Department of Public Health to protect seniors in Illinois nursing homes.

Victims of nursing home abuse can file a personal injury lawsuit to secure compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable. Family members or legal guardians are also eligible to file a claim on behalf of the victim. In wrongful death cases, the estate’s representative can pursue a claim to obtain justice and fair compensation.

Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases 

In nursing home neglect and abuse cases, multiple parties can be held accountable for the harm caused:

• Nursing home facility: Responsible for systemic issues and overall care quality.
• Staff members: Liable for direct abuse, inadequate medical care, or failure to report incidents.
• Contractors and third-party providers: Accountable for negligence while serving residents.
• Other residents: Can be liable for abusive behavior towards fellow elderly patients.

How Our Cicero Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Our law firm has extensive experience in handling nursing home abuse cases. Our Cicero nursing home abuse lawyers are committed to providing personalized legal assistance to every client, ensuring that nursing home abuse victims receive the compensation and justice they deserve. Here’s how we can help:

• Free Case Evaluation: We offer a free consultation to assess the details of your case and help determine the best course of action.
• Case Investigation: Our team thoroughly investigates every aspect of the abuse, collecting evidence from facility records, medical reports, and witness testimonies.
• Filing the Claim: We will handle all legal aspects of your nursing home abuse case, ensuring that your claim is filed in accordance with Illinois law.
• Settlement Negotiation: Most cases are resolved through negotiation. We work hard to secure a fair settlement that compensates for medical bills, emotional distress, and other damages.
• Trial Representation: Our skilled nursing home attorneys will take your case to trial to secure justice if a settlement cannot be reached.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

In Cicero, Illinois, there are a total of 251 Medicare-approved nursing facilities offering Medicaid services. 

Of these, 145 facilities (58%) have an overall score of below or much below average. Specifically, 131 nursing homes (52%) fall short in health inspections, and 182 facilities (73%) have inadequate staffing levels. Additionally, 74 nursing homes (29%) rated poorly in quality measures. [1]

The worst-rated nursing homes in Cicero include:

Recognizing the signs of nursing home negligence is essential. Here are some common indicators that an elderly person may be suffering from Illinois nursing home abuse:

• Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones
• Sudden weight loss or other signs of malnutrition and dehydration
• Bedsores (pressure ulcers)
• Emotional withdrawal
• Fear of caregivers
• Poor hygiene and unsanitary living conditions
• Financial discrepancies

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, take immediate action:

• Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
• Report your concerns to the nursing home administrator or management.
• File a complaint with your local Ombudsman’s office, which advocates for residents’ rights in long-term care facilities.
• Contact a Cicero nursing home abuse lawyer to evaluate your legal options and protect your loved one’s rights.

Damages You Can Recover Through a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

When filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit, victims and their families may be entitled to recover various types of damages, depending on the nature and severity of the abuse.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate for the financial losses directly caused by the abuse or neglect. Examples include:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Relocation costs
• Lost income or financial support

Non-Economic Damages

Noneconomic damages cover the more subjective, non-financial losses that impact the victim’s quality of life. These can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may also be awarded in cases of particularly egregious or malicious abuse. These damages are designed to punish the responsible parties and deter similar behavior in the future.

The Cost of Hiring a Cicero Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs, and you only pay if we win your case. This structure allows nursing home abuse victims to pursue justice without worrying about financial burdens.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Cicero

Illinois law imposes a statute of limitations on nursing home abuse cases, which is generally two years from the date the abuse or neglect occurred or when it was discovered. If you suspect that a loved one has suffered abuse, it’s essential to act quickly. The sooner you reach out, the better your chances of gathering the necessary evidence and building a strong case.

Contact a Cicero Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to helping families seek justice for their loved ones who have suffered abuse in Cicero nursing homes. Our compassionate and experienced team is here to ensure that elderly residents receive the care and respect they deserve while holding abusive parties accountable. 

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.

Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form.

References: [1] Medicare