print this pageWhen you or a loved one has been injured as a result of neglect or abuse by a nursing home, there are some important things you must do and know.
First, you should know that all nursing home residents have certain rights, including the right to be free from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect. If those rights are violated, you or your loved one has a legal claim against the nursing home for damages.
Second, you should know that abuse by a nursing home can take many forms, including the existence of pressure ulcers (also called bedsores or decubitus ulcers), falls and fractures (such as a broken hip or leg as the result of being transferred to/from bed/chair by improperly trained nursing home personnel), malnutrition and/or dehydration (as the result of improper planning, implementation and supervision of diet) and bed injuries (such as suffocation or strangulation caused by defective or improperly used side rails).
Third, you should know that the nursing home will not tell you that the injury sustained by your loved one was caused by the neglect of the nursing home. The nursing home may not even tell you how the injury happened.
Finally, you can expect the nursing home to tell your loved one’s injury was unavoidable and simply the result of advanced age, poor health or previous disabilities of the resident. You should not accept this explanation without a full and complete investigation of exactly how your loved one became injured.
This is what you should do.
First, you should call the Illinois Department of Long-Term Health Care. This government agency has the authority to investigate acts of alleged abuse by the Nursing Home.
Second, you should discuss with your loved one’s physician the details regarding the injury and most importantly, the likely cause of the injury.
Third, you should take pictures of your loved one’s visible injuries, including bed sores.
Fourth, you should make sure a written report of the incident is made. Try to obtain a copy of that report.
Fifth, you should try to obtain a copy of the nursing home records. The nursing home records will be crucial in proving specific acts of negligence against the nursing home.
Finally, you should retain an attorney immediately.
Your initial consultation with the Law Offices of Charles J. Gale is free and you will be under no obligation. We will discuss with you your rights and provide you a free and comprehensive evaluation of your case. We will explain to you in detail in steps involved in prosecuting your claim. At no time will you be charged a fee unless we collect.
At the Law Offices of Charles J. Gale, your questions are welcome. No office visit is necessary. If you are disabled, we will visit you at your home or hospital.
Call the Law Offices of Charles J. Gale for your free consultation.