Chicago Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys

Compassionate Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers for Victims in Chicago

When families place their loved ones in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, they trust that the facility will provide a safe and nurturing environment. Unfortunately, some nursing homes fail to meet this expectation, and residents may suffer injuries due to abuse or neglect. Nursing home abuse can manifest in various forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Likewise, neglect can take different forms, including lack of supervision or lack of medical care. At Schwartz Jambois, our personal injury attorneys work with families who have been affected by nursing home neglect or abuse, helping them understand their options for holding a negligent facility responsible for allowing a person to suffer harm.

Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes

Physical abuse involves contact intended to cause bodily harm or injury. It occurs when caregivers or others inflict pain or physical force upon residents intentionally. Examples of physical abuse include hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, or shoving residents, as well as using improper restraint, forcefully handling residents during transfers, or misusing medical devices.

Injuries resulting from physical abuse may vary widely depending on the severity of mistreatment. Some common forms of harm that patients may suffer due to physical abuse include bruises, broken bones, burns, lacerations, head trauma, dislocations, sprains, strains, fractures, and internal injuries.

Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes

Sexual abuse refers to any unwanted sexual contact or interactions with a nursing home resident without their consent. This form of mistreatment is particularly distressing for elderly nursing home patients who are in vulnerable positions and frail health. Patients who suffer from dementia or who fear retaliation from an abuser may struggle to communicate what has happened, and they may be subjected to ongoing mistreatment.

The immediate effects of sexual abuse can be traumatizing for victims, and a person may also experience long-lasting psychological consequences, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sexual abuse can also lead to physical injuries, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other issues that may affect a patient's overall health.

Emotional Abuse in Nursing Homes

Emotional abuse involves behaviors or language that harm a nursing home resident's emotional well-being and self-esteem. Staff members may belittle, humiliate, or intimidate residents. They may also isolate residents from others and prevent them from engaging in social activities, or they may engage in verbal abuse or other actions that can inflict emotional harm.

This form of mistreatment can result in various psychological effects on the victim, including anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and increased feelings of helplessness. Emotional abuse may not leave physical scars, but it poses serious risks to a person's mental health.

Neglect in Nursing Homes

Neglect occurs when nursing home staff members fail to provide necessary care and attention for residents. It can take different forms, including failing to supervise patients and check on their well-being, failing to administer medications when required, failing to ensure that patients receive the proper food and drinks, failing to provide assistance when needed, and failing to ensure that patients' medical needs are properly addressed. Neglect can lead to a variety of injuries, including:

• Malnutrition: When residents' nutritional needs are not met adequately due to inadequate food provision, they may experience issues such as weight loss, fatigue, confusion, and mood disorders.
• Dehydration: When residents do not receive enough fluids regularly, or when staff members fail to monitor their hydration levels properly, they may experience symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, or loss of consciousness.
• Falls: Residents may suffer falls due to lack of assistance when moving around a facility or hazards within the premises. They may experience injuries such as broken bones, dislocated joints, severe bruises, or brain injuries.
• Bedsores: These sores can develop when a nursing home resident is left immobile for extended periods without proper movement or repositioning. These wounds can become infected if left untreated, leading to additional health issues.
• Medication errors: Dosage errors, administration of incorrect medications, or failure to provide medications may occur if staff members are negligent in managing medications correctly. These issues may put residents at risk of adverse drug reactions and other poor health outcomes.
• Wandering/elopement: Failure to provide proper security and supervision may result in a resident leaving a facility unsupervised, potentially leading to accidents or injuries.

Contact Our Chicago Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers

If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it is crucial to take immediate action. At Schwartz Jambois, our experienced attorneys have extensive experience advocating for nursing home residents and their families. We understand the gravity of these situations, and we can help you ensure that your loved one's rights are protected. Our attorneys can help gather evidence, work with medical experts to assess injuries, communicate with relevant authorities such as state regulators, and file lawsuits on your behalf seeking compensation for damages suffered by your loved one. Schedule a complimentary consultation today by calling 312-782-2525 or contacting us online.