It is hard enough to put a loved one into a nursing home or assisted living community, even though you know they need the help and support. When that location fails to provide the care they need, and your loved one suffers injuries and losses, it’s overwhelming.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., a nursing home abuse lawyer in Chicago can become your advocate, fighting for truly fair compensation and justice. Founded in 2002, our Chicago personal injury lawyers have over 75 years of combined experience.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse Not to Ignore
If you see any changes in your loved one that the nursing staff cannot explain, or your loved one informs you of any type of abuse, seek support from our legal team.
We work with victims who are facing incredible injuries through no fault of their own, who cannot always voice what is occurring. If you see any of these signs, take action:
- Bedsores
- Sudden weight gain or weight loss
- Broken bones
- Bruises, lacerations, or unexplained cuts
- Falls from bed or a wheelchair
- Soiled and dirty clothing and bedsheets
- Complaints of verbal abuse or not liking one or more members of the staff
- Onset of fear, depression, and anxiety
- Financial changes or unexplained transactions
Let our legal team investigate for you. By contacting us, we will take action right away to preserve records and evidence vital to proving your loved one’s injuries and losses.
Expect us to be aggressive in protecting your loved one right now, as well as in seeking justice for what they went through up until this point.
Review the FAQs that Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. provides our clients.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse That Devastate Lives
Nursing home abuse can happen in multiple ways, and in every situation, the outcome is tragic. The National Council on Aging reports in its Get the Facts on Elder Abuse that one in every 10 Americans over the age of 60 experiences elder abuse, and much of this occurs in a nursing home setting.
Our legal team handles all types of nursing home abuse, which may include:
- Physical abuse, including any type of physical action that causes pain or injury
- Sexual abuse, including unwanted touching, fondling, intercourse, or other unwanted sexual activity, including when an older person cannot understand or provide consent due to mental health issues
- Emotional and psychological abuse, including verbal assault, threats of abuse, harassment, or belittling of a person
- Confinement, including restraining a person to their bed or chair, or failing to provide support when needed to get up
- Passive neglect, which includes not providing access or support for the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, shelter, or medical care when needed
- Medication abuse, including the overuse or underuse of medication to control a person or cause harm
- Financial exploitation, which may include theft, but also Medicare and Medicaid fraud on behalf of the nursing home
In each one of these situations, innocent victims suffer substantially, and every one of these risks is avoidable. If you believe your loved one is facing any type of abuse, we encourage you to first call 911 to remove them from the dangerous situation and then contact our lawyer for immediate support. You do have options, and we can help you.
Know Your Rights and How to Take Action
The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act is the foundation of support for those in nursing homes, including the rights each person within a facility has and the steps they can take when they need help.
If your loved one suffers injuries or losses, we encourage you to prioritize their safety first by removing them from that environment if necessary.
Then contact us:
- We will investigate the case by gathering additional evidence of what occurred, including speaking to witnesses, requiring medical record access, and clarifying details.
- You can inform the head of nursing of what is occurring, but be vigilant. They may take steps to cover their tracks or limit access to information.
- If you do not receive proper support and your loved one is struggling, reach out to the local health department for immediate action. You have the right to know what is happening to protect your loved one’s health.
- Show up and be there. Visit the nursing home whenever you deem it possible and necessary. Try to visit at different times and observe from a distance to see what is happening.
- Discuss your loved one’s health with their doctor and be sure that the nursing staff knows that you expect to receive a call if there are any concerns or changes to your loved one’s health.
In each one of these situations, you have the right to seek fair treatment for your loved one. Yet, taking these steps may not be all you can do. That is where our Chicago nursing home abuse attorney becomes your advocate.
The Compensation Owed to You in Nursing Home Abuse
Our nursing home abuse attorney works closely with victims to determine what losses they have and then seeks compensation against the at-fault parties. That may include the nursing home, its directors, nursing staff, and doctors. We may seek compensation such as:
- Medical costs associated with the failed care or complications experienced
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish compensation
- Costs related to moving your loved one to a safe area or location
- Associated losses due to loss of companionship or support
Every case is vastly different, but in these situations, having legal guidance becomes imperative. If you suspect your loved one is suffering or they lost their life due to negligence, let us guide you in pursuing fair compensation for the losses you have suffered. Take the time right now to contact us for a free consultation and learn what our team can do to support you.
Set Up a Free Consultation with a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Chicago
Turn to Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. for a free and confidential consultation about what your loved one is facing.
Our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer is your advocate and ally in this fight. Let us pursue justice for those who are the most vulnerable hurt through no fault of their own.
