A Chicagoland Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer You Can Trust
Nursing home abuse robs victims of the peace, safety, and comfort they trusted a facility to provide. If your loved one has been injured, mistreated, or assaulted in a nursing home, get in touch with Brian Lewis today.
A Passionate Defender of Nursing Home Negligence Victims
Brian Lewis has successfully represented nursing home abuse victims for over 25 years. Through his dedication to his clients, Brian has secured settlements that help victims recover and move forward in peace, comfort, and safety.
$1,750,000
Brain Injury
Settlement for a man who was left unattended and fell out of his, striking his head and suffering a brain injury.
$900,000
Bed Sores
Settlement against a nursing home for failure to properly care for bed sores that resulted in an amputated leg.
What are the Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?
Learning the signs of nursing home abuse is essential for protecting the physical and emotional health of your loved ones during a vulnerable time in their life. Common signs of abuse or neglect include:
- Unexplained bruises or broken bones
- Weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration
- Bedsores and other wounds
- Medication errors
- Sepsis
- Physical and sexual assault
Residents with Alzheimer’s Disease are especially prone to abuse, with aggressors exploiting their condition.
Remember, nursing home abuse can be physical, but it can also be:
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Financial
If you notice or suspect abuse, talk to your loved one and consider removing them from the facility if necessary.
Your Nursing Home Negligence Questions Answered
What is the Illinois Nursing Home Negligence Statute of Limitations?
You have two years from the time you should have reasonably known of the abuse to file a nursing home abuse case in Illinois. While two years seems like a long time, it’s important to contact a nursing home abuse lawyer as quickly as possible.
Additionally, filing a case within the two-year timeframe is complex in cases involving a victim with Alzheimer’s. The earlier you contact a nursing home abuse lawyer, the more time you and your lawyer will have to build a compelling case.
Why is Nursing Home Abuse so Common in Illinois?
Many Illinois nursing homes are incentivized to cut costs, even when doing so is detrimental to the health and safety of those in their care. They keep staff levels dangerously low, hire inexperienced workers, and ignore industry best practices and state laws. Even when abuse is discovered, it often goes unreported.
The U.S. Nursing Home Reform Act, the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, and many other laws specify standards for treatment in nursing home facilities and clarify the rights of residents. Unfortunately, many nursing homes don’t abide by these laws. When they don’t, they need to be held accountable.
What are Residents’ Rights in Illinois Nursing Homes?
Residents in nursing homes are entitled to comprehensive personal liberties and rights. When speaking with your loved one, verify that they’re not having any of their rights withheld or violated. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act protects nursing home residents’ right to:
- Retain personal property
- Manage their own finances
- See their own physician
- Not be restrained or administered medications when doing so is not necessary
- Private, unimpeded, and uncensored communication
- Practice their religion
And many more. Any violation of these rights should be reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Additional Verdicts and Settlements Obtained By Brian
Take the First Step Toward Justice
If a nursing home abused or neglected your loved one, don’t accept it as a part of the elder care process. It is unacceptable. Brian Lewis will work closely with you and your loved one to establish a compelling nursing home abuse case and get every cent you are entitled to.