Elgin Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

When your loved one lives in a nursing home, you expect them to be safe and properly cared for. There should never be abuse, neglect, or harm done to an elderly family member due to the negligence of a nursing home. Too many elderly people are the subject of this type of abuse but there are ways to hold the facility accountable with help from a determined personal injury attorney.

Legal action could help compensate an injured resident and prevent future abuse from occurring to others. If you or someone you love has suffered physically, emotionally, or financially while living in a nursing facility, an Elgin nursing home abuse lawyer is ready to join your fight so you do not have to undergo this process alone.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse occurs when an elderly person living in a facility suffers neglect, intentional harm, or negligent care by the home staff. This type of harm is often classified as elder abuse. The Illinois Department on Aging handles reports on nursing home neglect but the residents and their families have the power to hold the nursing home responsible. Some of the most common forms of elder abuse include, but are not limited to:

• Passive neglect of patients
• Emotional abuse
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial exploitation
• Unlawful and unnecessary confinement
• Willful deprivation of needs
• Isolation from family members

Any of these events can result in lasting harm to an elderly resident. When this occurs, an attorney in Elgin could help a family member take legal action and hold the nursing home staff financially responsible for the abuse or neglect.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence

Certain signs often exist that might reveal that elder abuse is taking place within a nursing facility. These signs could lead to the revelation of other misconduct. Some key things to look for are:

• Loss of possessions by resident
• Staff refusing access to visitors
• Unexplained cuts, bruises, sprains, or broken bones
• Bedsores
• Dehydration or Malnutrition
• Sudden changes in wills or financial dealings
• Venereal disease
• Strange behavior not related to elder’s medical condition

If a loved one ever sees these signs or other concerning behavior, they should immediately report elder abuse to their local agency and reach out to a legal advocate as soon as possible. An experienced local lawyer could help protect a loved one, and other residents, from further harm.

Legal Options in the Event of Nursing Home Abuse

Upon identifying the abusive behavior from facility employees, residents and their families can pursue several legal remedies to help prevent further harm. These legal remedies include an investigation by adult protective services, criminal prosecution of wrongdoers, and a civil cause of action for monetary damages.

A dedicated lawyer in Elgin is trained to pursue these legal options, especially in ensuring a proper report is made to authorities and pursuing a nursing home abuse lawsuit.

Compensation in Nursing Home Abuse Cases

A civil lawsuit for damages could provide justice for elderly residents and their families. A successful civil lawsuit might win financial compensation in the form of:

• Medical costs
• Rehabilitation costs
• Reimbursement of nursing home fees
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of consortium

This financial compensation could help an elderly person recover from the abuse they suffered, as well as hold the nursing home responsible for the harm that they failed to prevent.

Consult an Elgin Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If you or a family member has suffered abuse at a senior care facility, you have the right to seek justice, including repayment of any expenses incurred while treating the harm. An Elgin nursing home abuse lawyer could join you in this fight and act as your legal representative in court. Contact the office to schedule a consultation.