September 27th, 2022 – Residents of six Chicago area nursing facilities filed a class action suit against the Alden Group seeking to end chronic and intentional understaffing at the facilities. The complaint alleges Alden staffing was significantly below even the statutory minimum required nursing hours during the time period from 2018 through 2020, leading to numerous injuries and illness. While Alden profits, residents pay a painful and sometimes even deadly price. AARP Foundation, Levin & Perconti, HSPRD Legal, and Equip for Equality are representing the class and seeking monetary, declaratory, and injunctive relief to correct dangerous conditions that have resulted from understaffing the facilities. If you are a current or former resident at an Alden Group facility and have sustained injuries or experienced insufficient care, contact us today.
About Alden Village North
7464 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 338-0200
Alden Village North is a health facility for children and adults with developmental disabilities and other complex medical conditions. It provides 24/7 care for infants, children, and adults with severe developmental disabilities in a safe, home-like environment, as well as education, training, therapy, and respite programs for non-residents.
Alden Village North is not Medicare certified; therefore, they do not have publicly available government ratings. However, most certified Illinois facilities in the Alden network have received high ratings for health inspections and other quality measures in recent years.
Protecting Your Loved One
Whether you’re looking for a permanent residence or day services for a special needs loved one, you want to find them a facility that not only provides the right kinds of services and programs but that does so with safety and respect as top priorities. Luckily there are plenty of facilities with these qualities, but there are also some that may be questionable. How do you find the right one?
First, do your research. Look online for ratings from government agencies if available, or just reviews from other families. Organizations that serve special needs clients may also be able to point you in the right direction.
You want a facility that has a proven history of high-quality care as well as all the necessary services your loved one requires. As you research, make a list of facilities in your area that meet both these criteria.
Every facility is going to advertise as if it’s the best option out there, so you need to go see each first hand. Schedule tours of all the facilities on your list. On these tours, pay attention to the cleanliness of the property and how staff interact with clients. Bring a list of probing questions with you to ask about staff qualifications and the facility’s protocols and best practices.
After doing your due diligence to pick the perfect facility for your special needs relative, there are still precautions you can take to minimize the risk of them suffering any neglect or abuse.
If your family member is taking up residence in the facility, communicate and visit often so you can monitor their care and they can tell you about anything amiss. If your family member will continue to live with you, talk to them every day about their activities at the facility and watch for any changes in behavior after spending time there.
Victims of abuse often display signs of trauma. Educate yourself on what these are so you can spot them quickly if necessary. The following may not apply to every case, but will give you a starting point:
- Unusual violent or withdrawn behavior
- Frequent trouble sleeping
- Unexplained injuries like bruises, burns, or scars
- Instances of wandering or elopement
- Weight loss or malnourishment not due directly to an illness
- Frequent trips to the emergency room or doctor
- Poor hygiene or unwashed clothes or hair
- Frequently misplaced or lost personal items
- A lack of necessities, including utilities, water, and food
- A dirty room or bathroom
If you notice any new, troubling behavior in your loved one or witness something wrong at the facility yourself, take immediate action. Document your experiences and speak to management. They should take all your concerns seriously and take measures to fix the issue so it doesn’t happen again. However, if they dismiss your experiences or fail to take any action, it may be time to seek legal counsel and determine if your loved one has suffered personal injury as defined by the law.
Levin & Perconti can Help
If you believe the rights of your special needs loved one have been violated at a care facility, the attorneys at Levin & Perconti have the expertise and experience to help you navigate your options within the legal system. Our attorneys have prosecuted hundreds of personal injury cases involving, but not limited to:
- Medication Errors
- Burns
- Malnutrition and/or Dehydration
- Physical or Sexual Assault or Abuse
- Wandering and Elopement from facilities
- Unauthorized Physical and/or Chemical Restraint Use
Disclaimer: The above health inspection findings are taken from public records kept and published by Medicare and the state of Illinois and are not complete. Levin & Perconti cannot confirm that this page’s content includes the latest information available. Any corrections or additions made to these public records after publication of this page will not be found here. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.illinois.gov or medicare.gov. This page is a legal advertisement and informational resource for visitors and is not endorsed by the named facility or any government agency. Levin & Perconti does not have any affiliation with the named facility.
Past Client Testimonials
Don’t take our word for it. Hear from some of the medical malpractice victims we’ve helped:
Not only were they so professional but also so caring and thoughtful. It was very difficult going over the facts in our mother's case but they were so compassionate and understanding and allowed us to be with them every step of the way. We were able to sit in on the depositions and we were really able to see how hard they worked on our behalf.
During that time, my family and I suffered the loss of my mother. Mr. Levin and Mr. Perconti were more than just our lawyers. Words can’t really express our gratitude.
They were most patient and responded timely to many questions throughout the entire process. All demonstrated professionalism and extensive knowledge of case and state laws. Their in-depth investigative work uncovered details which were unknown to us and yet sadly confirmed our suspicions. We would recommend the Levin and Perconti Law firm and especially this team.
During that time, my family and I suffered the loss of my mother. Mr. Levin and Mr. Peconti were more than just our lawyers. Words can’t really express our gratitude. My family and I will always be grateful for the compassion that they showed us. I want to thank you for what you did for my family, and for always being there for us.
Margaret’s representation, guidance, and professionalism gave us the sense that we could put our trust in Levin & Perconti and the final outcome proved that to be true.
Legally Reviewed by
Bonamarte, IV
Read Bio
Since 2005, Michael Bonamarte IV has been a passionate advocate for victims of negligent conduct, corporate malfeasance, and medical malpractice. He has won numerous awards and recognitions, including Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers’ Rising Star. He has presented for the American Association for Justice, the AAJ Nursing Home Litigation Group, the John Marshall Law School, and numerous other legal associations. He regularly lectures at Chicago-area aging organizations about nursing home abuse. His writings have been published by the American Bar Association, the Chicago Daily Bulletin, and numerous other prestigious publications.
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Notable Results
for failure to properly read pap smears, resulting in the misdiagnosis of cervical cancer and eventual death of a 35-year-old mother of three children.
for failing to biopsy a known breast tumor, resulting in the delay of diagnosis of breast cancer, causing death.
for failing to perform an annual pelvic exam, which resulted in the untimely diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Contact the Alden Village North Negligence Lawyers at Levin & Perconti
If you’re not sure you have a case, we can help you find out. If you are ready to seek justice for your family and pursue a resolution, we are ready to do that too. All you need to do is fill out our online contact form or call Levin & Perconti at 877-374-1417 today, and we’ll help you determine your next steps in protecting your loved one.
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