Key Takeaways
Abuse can be physical, emotional, financial, or neglect. Keep a detailed log, take photos of injuries or poor conditions, and gather witness statements to build your case.
Call the police if your loved one is in danger. Report abuse to the Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman or IDPH for immediate action and investigation into nursing home violations.
If internal reports aren't enough, consult a specialized lawyer. Legal experts can uncover details, hire professionals, and hold the nursing home accountable to ensure your loved one’s justice.
Nursing home residents and their families put their trust in their caregivers and staff to meet their needs and keep them safe. Unfortunately, many nursing home patients are vulnerable to abuse from staff, residents, and others who wish to take advantage of their conditions.
At Levin & Perconti, we understand how heartbreaking it can be to suspect that your loved one is being abused in a nursing home and how difficult it can be to prove. We’ve assembled a list of steps to help you investigate and report nursing home abuse. Taking swift action can be critical to ensuring your loved one’s safety and well-being.
Recognize the Signs of Abuse
There are multiple types of nursing home abuse, each with different signs to look out for. Here are the common types with the corresponding signs to watch for:
- Physical abuse occurs when a resident is mistreated or neglected in a way that causes them bodily harm or pain. Such abuse can include hitting, misusing physical restraints, or non-consensual sexual contact. Signs of physical abuse include unexplained bruises, broken bones, or other injuries, as well as sudden behavioral changes like an increase in fear or anxiety.
- Emotional abuse usually involves insults, harassment, or threats directed at a resident and is the most common variety of elder abuse. Sudden anxiety, withdrawal from social interactions or favorite activities, and depression can be signs of emotional abuse.
- Neglect occurs when caregivers refuse or fail to address a resident’s basic needs, leading to malnutrition and deteriorating health. Untreated bedsores, unexplained weight loss, and poor hygiene can be signs of neglect.
- Financial abuse happens when nursing home employees or even family members take advantage of residents with some form of cognitive decline by stealing their property, impersonating them in financial transactions, or coercing them into changing their wills. Unexplained changes in financial documents or accounts, fraudulent signatures, and unusual withdrawals can point to financial abuse.
Ensure Immediate Safety
When you suspect nursing home abuse, take action as soon as possible. Call the police if your loved one is in immediate danger or distress. Remove them from the facility if possible. Our knowledgeable nursing home abuse attorneys can help you relocate your loved one and ensure their safety.
Document the Evidence
Creating a detailed record of the details you know to help establish when and how the abuse occurred.
When you visit, take thorough notes about the conditions at the home, recording specific dates, times, and incidents you’re aware of. If you can discretely and respectfully take photos of any visible injuries or signs of neglect, you can create crucial evidence.
Obtain recorded statements from your loved one if they’re able to provide one, and seek out any witnesses who might be willing to testify about what happened.
Report the Abuse
Take your evidence and file a complaint with the nursing home’s management, long-term care ombudsman, and with the state. Beyond supporting your loved one, taking action ignites systemic improvements that safeguard every resident under that roof.
Before filing a complaint, speak with a knowledgeable and experienced nursing home abuse attorney. Our attorneys can advise you of your options and guide you through the process.
Consult a Levin & Perconti Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Specializing in Elder Abuse
Seeking legal assistance is key to addressing nursing home abuse, especially if reporting internally or through state agencies doesn’t resolve the situation. Levin & Perconti has been a nationally recognized pioneer in nursing home neglect and abuse litigation for more than three decades and has over 400 years of combined experience, putting us in the best position to help you get justice for your loved one’s treatment.
We know how to successfully investigate and prove nursing home abuse claims. We often employ medical experts like geriatricians, forensic nurses, psychologists, and others to evaluate abuse and demonstrate its impact on the victim’s well-being. We also work with forensic accountants, data analysts, rehabilitation experts, social workers, and more to build the strongest case.
We’ve recovered over $20 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients since 1992. Examples of our significant nursing home abuse case results include the following:
- $12,200,000 settlement for the negligent nursing care that led to the death of a mother, marking the largest nursing home verdict in Illinois history
- $4,100,00 for a jury verdict on behalf of an 85-year-old woman injured in a nursing home when her medications were mismanaged
- $2,900,000 settlement against a suburban Homewood nursing home for the family of a deceased 57-year-old resident who was suffocated due to the home’s negligent care of her tracheostomy tube
- $2,800,000 settlement settlement against a suburban Hillside nursing home and physician for a 59-year-old resident who developed multiple painful and infected bedsores, which took four years to heal
Seek Additional Support
Local advocacy groups like AARP Illinois or the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care can help provide support and resources for you and your loved one while you investigate and resolve your nursing home abuse claims.
Follow Up
Don’t let the situation go unaddressed. After investigating and reporting suspected nursing home abuse, continue visiting with your loved one to ensure they are safe and thriving. Periodically follow up with the nursing home management or state agencies to monitor investigations and ensure they move forward properly.
Trust Levin & Perconti for Your Nursing Home Abuse Case
Taking immediate action is the best way to keep your loved one safe from suspected nursing home abuse and hold liable parties accountable for their unacceptable behavior. Our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys are passionate about standing up for the rights of long-term care residents and ensuring they get the justice they deserve.
Contact us online or call (312) 332-2872 today if you need help investigating, reporting, or taking legal action against nursing home abuse.
