What to Do if a Nursing Home Resident is Injured by a Catheter

 Posted on June 23, 2025 in Neglect

Catheters are used to drain urine and other fluids from the bladder. These medical tools see plenty of use in nursing homes, as they often help treat residents dealing with incontinence or other health issues when bladder control becomes more difficult with age for some. However, when these tools are used improperly, nursing home residents could be exposed to injuries, illness, or even death. 

If your loved one has been injured due to improper catheter usage in a nursing home, get in contact with an Illinois nursing home injury lawyer as soon as possible. At Schwartz Injury Law, we have the resources, skills, and relevant experience to help you take legal action against a nursing facility. We will fight for justice on behalf of your loved one, pursuing a fair settlement or verdict. 

Physical Injuries Caused by Catheters

It goes without saying that catheters should be handled with the utmost care. The slightest error in application can cause severe pain for a resident, possibly resulting in serious injury.  For instance,  inserting a catheter too roughly can result in internal damage and bleeding to the urethra. Poorly lubricated tubes can also cause abrasions from friction.

Catheter injuries can be caused by undertrained nursing home personnel who are not familiar with the proper procedures. Our attorneys can investigate the cause of your loved one’s injuries, reviewing the precautions – or lack thereof – taken to avoid harm. As part of our investigation into the facility, we might take statements from staff members and look at a physician’s notes about your loved one’s condition. 

Infections Caused by Catheters

Physical trauma is not the only risk of using a catheter. When not properly cleaned, catheters can also lead to urinary tract infections, or UTIs. These infections often occur when the catheter tube is not cleaned and sterilized on a regular basis. The nursing home should also empty out the drainage bag at least once a day. Simple hygiene practices such as handwashing can also go a long way to prevent UTIs.

Urinary tract infections should be caught and treated as quickly as possible. If your loved one complains about a burning sensation while urinating, he or she may have contracted a UTI. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can help you take action against a nursing home and hold them accountable for allowing a UTI to develop.

How Do Catheter Injuries and Illnesses Occur?

Injuries and infections from catheter usage in nursing homes can frequently be traced back to poor hiring practices and other grievous errors by upper management. For instance, a lack of proper training can lead to easily preventable mistakes in catheter insertion. The facility could also be named at fault for not implementing proper hygiene practices. 

At Schwartz Injury Law, we are invested in identifying the root cause of catheter-related injuries and illnesses. Our attorneys will not accept inadequate explanations or attempts to dismiss or downplay the damage done to your loved one. When you work with our firm, we will gather as much evidence as we can to help support your case, ensuring that your claim stands on a solid foundation.

Documenting Injuries and Illnesses Caused by Catheters

As soon as you suspect that your loved one has been injured by a catheter, you should get in contact with an attorney and start documenting evidence of negligence. Our personal injury lawyers will help you compile this evidence, clearly illustrating where the injury or illness stemmed from and how the nursing home was responsible for it.

Evidence for your claim can take different forms. Photos of the catheter tube and waste bag can show that the equipment was not used safely. We could also review medical reports to get an accurate detailing of your loved one’s injuries. Our nursing home injury attorneys will give your case the thorough investigation it deserves, ensuring that it stands on solid ground.

What Damages Can You Collect in a Personal Injury Claim?

Before you move forward with filing a personal injury claim against the nursing home, you should get a full estimate for all of your loved one’s damages. A personal injury claim could cover not only your loved one’s medical expenses, but his or her pain and suffering as well.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we will fight to get the maximum value out of your claim. We will argue for full compensation to cover any surgeries, medication, or aftercare for your loved one’s long-term health. In cases of wrongful death, you could receive compensation for funeral expenses, medical bills incurred before death, and your personal grief. In the history of our firm, we have helped many clients obtain maximum recovery from their claims.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Catheter Injury

Once you have thoroughly gathered evidence and gotten an estimate of the value of a catheter injury claim, you might assume that the rest will be simple. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. 

Negotiating with the nursing home’s insurer is where many people make critical mistakes and undermine their own claims. Insurance representatives may try to shift the blame to your loved one to avoid taking responsibility, citing previous health issues or other questionable excuses. Illinois is a comparative negligence state, so any admission of fault could be used to reduce the value of your personal injury claim.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we can handle all of the negotiations for your catheter injury claim. As experienced trial attorneys, we are more than ready to take your case to court if necessary, as well.

Meet With a Chicago, IL Nursing Home Injury Attorney

The misapplication of a catheter can cause excruciating pain and serious health complications for elderly individuals. At Schwartz Injury Law, we know just how devastating these injuries and infections can be. When you work with our Chicago, IL catheter injury lawyers, we will push for full compensation for all of your loved one’s damages. Our attorneys can explain the law in plain language and help you pursue the best path forward.

Your case matters to us. To schedule a free consultation today, call our offices at 312-535-4625.