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Nursing Home Abuse

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

Nursing home abuse and neglect can take many forms. Protect your loved ones from nursing home abuse by knowing their rights. When a loved one can no longer live independently, a decision must be made about the best option for care. Such a decision often must be made during a time of crisis, frequently when your loved one is ready to leave the hospital after a serious illness or operation. Illinois has approximately 1,200 long-term care facilities, or nursing homes, serving more than 100,000 residents, from the young to the elderly. Sadly, nursing home abuse and neglect, also known as elder abuse, is far too common.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is responsible for licensing, regulating, and conducting annual inspections of this facilities. The IDPH’s Bureau of Long-Term Care is responsible for making sure nursing homes comply with the provisions of the state Nursing Home Care Act. The IDPH’s 24-hour a day Nursing Home Hotline receives nearly 19,000 calls a year, and as a result, staff respond to more than 5,000 complaints per year.

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act provides rights to residents in long-term care facilities. Residents are entitled to the following protections:

  • No resident shall be abused or neglected.

  • A resident shall be permitted to wear their own clothes and keep their own personal belongings in their rooms.

  • A resident shall be permitted to retain the services of the resident’s own personal physician.

  • A resident shall be permitted respect and privacy in the resident’s medical and personal care program.

  • Neither restraints nor confinements shall be employed for the purpose of punishment or for the convenience of any facility personnel.

  • A resident shall not be given unnecessary drugs.

  • A resident shall be permitted to manage their financial affairs.

  • Every resident shall be permitted to freely communicate with others by mail, telephone, and having visitors.

  • A resident shall be permitted the free exercise of religion.

  • A resident shall be permitted to present grievances on behalf of himself or others. The administrator shall provide all residents or their representatives with the name, address, and telephone number of the appropriate State governmental office where complaints may be lodged.

  • No resident shall be subjected to unlawful discrimination.

What is nursing home abuse?

Nursing home abuse and neglect can take many forms. Know the warning signs, so you can better protect your loved ones. If you notice that your loved one exhibits any of the following, you should take action immediately: broken bones, bedsores, bruises, head injuries, medication overdose, dehydration or malnutrition, poor hygiene, soiled bedding, rapid weight loss, sudden agitation or emotional withdrawal, frequent crying, or complaints of poor treatment.

Nursing home abuse and neglect can take many forms.

If you believe a loved one has been abused or neglected at a nursing home, contact Mike Agruss Law, for a free consultation. Mike Agruss Law, is a Chicago, Illinois, personal injury law firm. Mike Agruss Law, represents victims of nursing home abuse and neglect throughout Illinois. We will handle your case quickly, advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. This litigation strategy will provide you with the best possible compensation.

Plus, Mike Agruss Law, does not get paid attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. Therefore, you have nothing to risk when you hire our firm—just the opportunity to seek justice. Protect your loved one’s rights by contacting us today for a free consultation.

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