Nursing home abuse is a serious and widespread issue in America that is often concealed or goes unnoticed. As an increasing number of elderly and disabled individuals become reliant on nursing homes and other facilities for daily care, they also become vulnerable to abuse from caretakers or other residents.
If you suspect your loved one has been the victim of neglect or abuse in a nursing home, the time to act is now. Contact our offices in Champaign, Danville, and Kankakee, Illinois to discuss your situation with a qualified attorney today.
We strive to protect and put an immediate stop to this mistreatment and get the answers and justice you and your family deserve.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Any mistreatment, harm, or injury inflicted on an elderly or disabled individual by a caregiver or another person in a nursing home or care facility could be considered nursing home abuse or neglect. Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is the most blatant form of nursing home abuse and can take many forms, including:
- Hitting
- Pushing
- Slapping
- Unnecessary restraint
- Shoving
- Other forms of rough treatment
Victims of physical abuse often suffer silently out of fear, making it crucial to identify the signs of physical abuse, including:
- Bruising
- Cuts or lacerations
- Broken bones
- Torn clothing
- Other indications of physical harm
Mental and Emotional Abuse
Mental and emotional abuse can take various forms, including:
- Verbal abuse
- Belittling
- Name-calling
- Isolation from others
- Verbal threats
- Withholding food, water, or medication.
Victims of mental and emotional abuse may experience fearful behavior, emotional withdrawal, depression, anxiety, and a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed. Contact an attorney immediately if you notice any signs of emotional or mental abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is not uncommon in nursing homes and can take various forms, including:
- Rape
- Unwanted touching
- Exposure of intimate parts.
Sexual abuse can occur by staff members, visitors, or even other residents at the facility. Residents who experience sexual abuse might require medical care that they would not require otherwise, and the facility could be held responsible for the individual’s medical bills and payment for emotional harm they’ve suffered.
Neglect
Examples of nursing home neglect include:
- Inadequate hydration
- Inadequate nutrition
- Isolation
- Medication errors
- Not administering proper medication
- Not providing routine medical treatment
- Failing to ensure residents, their clothes, and their rooms are clean and sanitary
Injuries and Losses from Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home residents who experience abuse or neglect may suffer from:
- Physical wounds
- Medical complications
- Medication overdoses
- Emotional regression
- Sexually transmitted infections or diseases
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Dehydration
In addition to physical and medical injuries, victims may experience significant physical and mental pain and suffering. Nursing homes should be held responsible for covering all the losses of injured residents.
Why Should I Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?
A nursing home abuse attorney could help you if you suspect your loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect. These include:
- Free case evaluation – A nursing home abuse attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options, including what you can do to hold the nursing home and its staff members accountable for any harm your loved one has suffered.
- Investigation – A nursing home abuse attorney can investigate the situation to determine if abuse has occurred. This may include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing medical records.
- Negotiation – If the nursing home is willing to settle the matter outside of court, a nursing home abuse attorney can negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Litigation – If the nursing home refuses to take responsibility for the abuse, a nursing home abuse attorney can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
- Emotional support – A nursing home abuse attorney can provide emotional support and guidance throughout the legal process, ensuring that you and your loved one are informed and prepared every step of the way.
An experienced nursing home abuse attorney could help you seek justice and ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for any abuse or neglect your loved one suffered.
Reporting Nursing Home Abuse
Nationally (for anywhere in the US):
- For immediate danger, call 911.
- For money problems (fraud), call 1-833-FRAUD-11.
- For general help and local contacts, call 1-800-677-1116.
- You can also search online for “Adult Protective Services” or “Long-Term Care Ombudsman” in your state.
In Illinois:
If the person is in a Nursing Home:
- Call the state hotline anytime: 1-800-252-4343.
- You can also complain online through the Illinois Department of Public Health website.
If the older person (59+) is NOT in a Nursing Home:
- Call the Elder Abuse Hotline anytime: 1-866-800-1409.This also connects you with Adult Protective Services.
If the person is in a Supportive Living Program (SLP):
- Call this hotline: 1-844-528-8444.
Statistics About Elder Abuse
According to the Illinois Department on Aging, elder abuse has a significant impact. In 2019 alone, there were 21,348 abuse reports. Here is what that looks like broken down:
- Stealing – 8,467
- Emotional/Verbal Abuse- 5,943
- Passive Neglect- 5,370
- Self-Neglect- 4,488
- Physical Abuse- 3,589
- Willful Deprivation- 2,261
- Confinement- 1,162
- Sexual Abuse- 706
Other numbers of note include:
- Victims of abuse have a three times higher probability of death compared to their peers who have not.
- Up to $30 billion is stolen from elderly victims every year.
- 1 in 10 Americans 60 or over have experienced some kind of abuse.
- 37% of cases are reported to have been caused by social workers or medical care staff.
Why Choose Spiros?
At Spiros Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys have secured substantial settlements for clients harmed by others’ negligence.
- $9,842,900: The second-largest verdict in the history of Vermilion County for an innocent baby who suffered immense harm and required an emergency craniotomy.
- $1,450,000: The largest verdict in Ford County for a driver injured when a car ran a stop sign.
- $1,400,000: The largest settlement for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) in Champaign County, Illinois, after a 42-year-old woman was given the wrong medication at a hospital, leading to vein necrosis, chronic pain, and nerve damage.
These examples are only a glimpse into what we can do for our clients. We have vast experience dealing with a wide range of personal injury cases. We can help with any of the following cases:
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Auto Wrecks
- Burn Injuries
- Paralysis Injuries
- Workers’ Compensation Claims
- Sexual Assault
- Mass Tort
- Federal Tort Claims
- View All Practice Areas
At Spiros Law Firm, P.C., our team dedicates itself to clear, honest communication with our current and future clients. From the initial consultation, we are upfront about potential outcomes and understand that our clients have already suffered great pain and loss. We’re committed to being compassionate and transparent with every person who needs our help or advice.
Contact an Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Now
The Illinois nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Spiros Law, P.C. provide quality representation to residents and their families across Illinois. We firmly believe that residents in nursing homes and other facilities deserve to live with dignity, and we’ll take immediate action to put a stop to mistreatment when it is discovered.
Contact our offices in Champaign, Danville, and Kankakee, Illinois to discuss your situation with a qualified injury attorney today.
