Posted on July 20, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

When an elder’s loved ones place them in a nursing home, it is generally to keep them safe. Senior citizens often reach a point where it is no longer safe for them to live at home. They may begin to need more care or more skilled care than their family members can provide. Or, incidents that occur in the elder’s home may signal to relatives that it is not safe for them to live alone anymore. The primary reason we move elders into designated care facilities is because we want them to receive all the care they need, delivered by trained professionals. If you have a loved one living in a nursing home, finding out that they have not received essential care may be among your worst nightmares. Sadly, nursing home abuse and neglect is more common than most people would like to think. It is important to check on your loved ones in nursing homes frequently so that you will know right away if they are not receiving the care they need. 

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 Posted on July 13, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

An elderly person can be seriously injured if they fall. As a person ages, their bones become more brittle and they become more vulnerable to injuries from minor falls that a younger person would easily bounce back from. Catastrophic injuries can occur when a nursing home resident falls. Some of the main risks when an elderly person falls are brain injuries, broken hips, and spinal cord injuries. While a broken hip is something a younger person could recover from, it is often referred to as “the beginning of the end” for a senior citizen. Many falls in nursing homes could be prevented. Often, falls are the result of negligence on the part of the nursing home staff. Many nursing homes are now severely understaffed, putting residents at greater risk for experiencing neglect. If your loved one was injured after falling in a nursing home, it is best to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Your loved one may be entitled to compensation. 

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 Posted on July 06, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

When a young person falls, there is still a chance that they will be injured. A young person might break their wrist trying to brace, or sustain some bruising. When an elderly person falls, they are far more likely to suffer a serious or even catastrophic injury. Elders who are not being given the proper care and supervision they need in nursing homes are more likely to fall than those that are well cared for. If your elderly loved one has recently suffered a serious fall in a Chicago nursing home, it could be because they have been neglected by the staff. Sometimes this happens because nursing homes are severely understaffed. Other times it happens because the staff present has failed to take the proper precautions to prevent a patient from standing up on their own. In any event, it is a good idea to speak with an attorney about what rights your loved one has and whether they may be owed compensation. 

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 Posted on June 29, 2023 in Neglect

Nursing homes often put profits over people. One way that they do this is by deliberately understaffing their facilities to save money on payrolls. Illinois has passed a law requiring certain staffing levels in nursing homes, but it is not yet effective. Understaffing can injure, or even kill, nursing home residents in a number of ways.

Residents Can Develop Infections

Nursing home staff perform a number of crucial functions that assist residents with activities of daily life. One key task is to change and toilet the residents when necessary. If a senior sits too long in unsanitary conditions, they may develop a urinary tract infection. Furthermore, staff must frequently change the resident’s position, so they do not develop pressure ulcers. Any minor infection can quickly become more serious without the proper care and supervision.

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 Posted on June 21, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

When considering placing loved ones in a nursing home, it is important to think carefully and with concern. There are potential risks, including common injuries, that come with nursing home care. Knowing about these injuries and Chicago's regulations can help family members advocate for their loved ones' safety and wellbeing.

Common Injuries in Nursing Homes

Some of the most common injuries in nursing homes are:

1. Concussions

Concussions caused by slips and falls are common occurrences in nursing homes. Detecting the symptoms of a concussion can be challenging. They can be mistaken for medication side effects or dementia, which leads to confusion, headaches, dizziness and mood changes. This can make it hard to detect them early.

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 Posted on June 15, 2023 in Bed Sores

Update: As discussed below, bed sores can be very serious, and they often occur due to nursing home neglect. However, these injuries can vary in severity, and their effects can range from mild discomfort to serious bodily harm that affects a person's overall health and well-being. By understanding the different types of bed sores, family members of nursing home patients who have suffered these types of injuries can make sure their loved ones will receive the proper care. They can also take steps to determine who was responsible and make sure that issues related to neglect will be addressed correctly.Bed sores are generally classified into four stages of severity:

• Stage 1: When bed sores first develop, they will usually involve some redness or discoloration, as well as sensations of pain or itchiness. To prevent sores from developing further, a patient should be moved regularly, which will relieve pressure on the affected area and ensure that blood can flow properly.

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 Posted on June 05, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing homes play an essential role for elderly and sick individuals. They should be places of safety and refuge. Sadly, physical abuse within nursing homes is not unheard of. When a vulnerable resident suffers harm due to physical abuse, the resident or the resident’s loved ones may be able to take legal action to protect their rights and seek justice. In this blog, we will explore the issue of physical abuse in nursing homes and explain how a lawyer can help a nursing home abuse victim seek justice and compensation.

Physical Abuse in a Nursing Home

There is no doubt that nursing home staff have a challenging job. Caring for individuals who suffer from severe physical health conditions or cognitive impairment can be exhausting. However, nursing home staff are legally and ethically obligated to treat nursing home residents with respect and compassion.

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 Posted on May 30, 2023 in Neglect

Antibiotics are supposed to kill bacteria. However, some bacteria survive antibiotics and begin to grow and multiply. Eventually, certain strains of bacteria become resistant to common antibiotics. Many experts blame the overuse of antibiotics for the rise in these so-called “superbugs.”

For vulnerable nursing home residents, superbugs are a potentially deadly threat. Nursing home staff must take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of bacteria in the facility and keep residents as safe as possible. Failure to maintain a clean, hygienic facility and use appropriate measures to prevent the spread of bacteria can lead to avoidable infections.

Nursing Homes Must Take Steps to Reduce Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Nursing homes have a legal duty to ensure a reasonably safe and hygienic facility. Residents in nursing homes are already vulnerable to infections due to compromised immune systems and other health problems. Not every infection can be prevented, but nursing home staff must take reasonable steps to reduce the chances of a patient being infected by bacteria and other pathogens.

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 Posted on May 17, 2023 in Neglect

For most of us, eating is something that we do without giving it much thought. We may eat while watching TV, working, or even driving. However, the risk of choking while eating is always present, and this risk is especially severe for nursing home residents.

Residents in a nursing home are at an increased risk of injury or death caused by choking on food. Many residents are elderly and have reduced muscle mass which can make it difficult to swallow food. Others are on medication that causes dry mouth or other symptoms that make eating more challenging.

Nursing homes have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent residents from choking. If a nursing home resident is injured or killed due to a choking incident, the nursing home may be liable for damages in a nursing home injury or death claim.

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 Posted on May 10, 2023 in Nursing Home Falls

Slipping and falling is extremely dangerous for elderly people and those with significant health concerns. In 2020, 3 million older adults needed to visit the emergency room because of a fall accident. Fall accidents involving the elderly often lead to hip fractures and other broken bones, traumatic brain injury, spine injury, and other severe, life-threatening injuries. Falling is also the leading cause of injury death for individuals aged 65 and older. Consequently, preventing fall accidents is a crucial responsibility in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

If your loved one was seriously injured or passed away after falling in a nursing home, you may understandably be desperate for answers. Why did this happen? Is there anything the nursing home could have done to prevent this tragedy? What are my legal rights?

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