Many people are unaware of Adult Protective Services (APS).  These services aim to ensure the safety and well-being of elders and adults who are in danger of being neglected or abused.  Many elderly residents in nursing homes are unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers and APS are dedicated to protecting residents from being victims of Illinois nursing home neglect.

APS caseworkers are often first responders to reports of neglect or abuse of vulnerable adults.  In addition to casework services, APS also can arrange for medical, economic, social, legal, law enforcement, housing and emergency services.  Additional services include investigating reports, monitoring and evaluating cases of vulnerable adults.

What defines a vulnerable adult is a questions Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys have been asked.  A vulnerable adult is defined as “a person who is being mistreated or is in danger of mistreatment and who, due to age and/or disability is unable to protect himself or herself.”

Additional Adult Protective Services include:

• Developing a case plan
• Assessing a victim’s risk
• Receiving reports of adult abuse, neglect and/or exploitation
• Investigating received reports
• Assessing the victim’s capacity to understand his or her risk
• Service monitoring
• Evaluation
• Arranging for legal assistance

Adult Protection Services is dedicating to protecting our beloved loved ones.  If you or a loved one has been the victim of neglect or abuse in Illinois, nursing home negligence lawyers with extensive experience are dedicated to pursuing justice and holding responsible parties responsible.

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Determining whether or not you have a legitimate case is not always an exact science explains Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers.  Determinations involve professional judgments of attorneys and medical experts.  Often times, an individual is told he or she does not have a legitimate case.  If you fall into this category, seek a second opinion from a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.

The first step in pursuing an Illinois nursing home neglect case involves suspecting you or a loved one has been a victim.  All too often, the actual victim is not capable of communicating or reporting the neglect.  If you have a “gut feeling” contact an Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer.  The next step involves giving written notice to the party that is believed to have committed the neglect.

Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys often receive questions regarding how long a case will take.  No simple answer exists to this question.  The majority of cases are settled prior to trial, with some settling prior to filing a lawsuit.  If a case goes to trial, it can last for years.  A quick resolution is not guaranteed.

Competent Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers can assist you with all the necessary steps to take and answer any additional questions if you are pursuing an Illinois nursing home neglect case.

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Unlike other types of accidents, falls are usually preventable with adequate and trained staff who properly care and monitor residents.  Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys have found that even if a fall is an accident, many nursing homes do not take necessary steps after the fall has taken place, a clear sign of Illinois nursing home neglect.

If a resident falls, he or she needs to be closely monitored by staff members of the nursing home.  The resident needs to be assessed by a physician or registered nurse versus an LPN or nursing assistant staff.  Close monitoring can result in diagnosing a problem related to the fall.  For example, a subdural hematoma could lead to brain swelling or death.  An assistant may not have the training to make this diagnosis.

Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers have represented clients who break a bone as the result of a fall.  Often times, the hip or knee breaks, resulting in the resident becoming bedridden or confined to a wheelchair.  When a resident loses mobility, other risk factors can develop such as bed sores or loss of muscle strength.  Fall injuries can lead to other serious consequences months after the initial incident.

Due to the serious possible repercussions of a resident falling, prevention is imperative.  Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys believe avoiding falls should be one of the primary focuses in the nursing home.  Staff members should consistently monitor the resident to determine the risks for falling along with taking interventions to reduce the risks of a fall incident.  The importance of being proactive increases if there is any change in a resident’s ability to physically function.  Assessments should be conducted by a qualified registered nurse.

If you or someone you love has suffered from a fall in a nursing home, it may be a sign of Illinois nursing home neglect.  Contact an Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer immediately.

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The New York Times recently published an article regarding antipsychotic drugs for people with dementia.  New research was reported that antipsychotics administered, even for a short period of time increases the likelihood of a resident being admitted to the hospital or death.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers stress the importance of knowing if a loved one in a nursing home is on an antipsychotic medication.

Many experts in the field of psychology and health believe behavioral interventions should be tried prior to using antipsychotic medication.  Maria Carrillo, director of medical and scientific affairs at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago stated antipsychotic medication should only be used “when the behavior or the psychiatric symptoms are really out of control and causing complete distress not only for the person suffering from Alzheimer’s but for caregivers all around them.”

Antipsychotic drugs are usually given to treat a behavioral complication of dementia such as delirium.  Antipsychotic drugs given to residents in nursing homes as a means to control the resident without physician approval is one form of Illinois nursing home neglect.  Maria continued to explain the importance of working with the physician and doing follow up evaluations closely together.

The study published by the New York Times stated that around seventeen percent of patients entering nursing homes start taking an antipsychotic drug within the first 100 days.  Other interventions are desperately needed explains a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.  Additional staffing and better training for staff can greatly reduce the need for these dangerous drugs and help prevent Illinois nursing home neglect.

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Many residents in nursing homes throughout Illinois require breathing tubes in order to remain alive.  Staff members at nursing homes are responsible for ensuring resident’s breathing tubes are functioning properly and are cleaned regularly.  A clogged breathing tube can be extremely dangerous with a possibility of leading to brain damage or death.  A clogged breathing tube can be one sign of Illinois nursing home neglect and should not be tolerated under any circumstance.

Breathing tubes are inserted into the trachea through a small cut in the neck and acts as a patient’s life support, providing oxygen to the brain.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers describe the following functions of a breathing tube:

• To protect the airway from aspiration due to impaired cough and gag reflexes
• To relieve mechanical airway obstruction
• To permit easy access for secretion removal
• To provide mechanical ventilation

Tracheotomy tubes have risks outside of being clogged.  Another serious complication is the risk of infection.  If tubes are not properly maintained and cleaned, an infection can develop explains a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.  Staff members in nursing homes must use all appropriate methods and sterilization to minimize the risk of infection.
Residents require different needs when it comes to their breathing tube depending on humidity, hydration, nutrition and infection.  The nursing home has a responsibility of ensuring a clogged breathing tube never happens.

If you believe a loved one is not receiving proper care and he or she has a breathing tube, contact an Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer.  Even if a breathing tube must be cleaned or changed every hour, the nursing staff must do this.  Lack of adequate care is a sign of Illinois nursing home neglect and is unacceptable under any circumstance.

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Sadly, many residents in nursing homes throughout Illinois and the United States are victims of emotional abuse and Illinois nursing home neglect.  Also known as psychological or mental abuse, emotional abuse is defined as “the intentional infliction of fear, degradation or anguish on another person through verbal or non-verbal acts.”  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers report that many overworked staff members commit emotional abuse on a daily basis.

The warning signs of emotional abuse in nursing homes are not always as apparent as other forms of abuse.  The ramifications can drastically lower happiness and overall health levels.  Often, victims are afraid to come forward about the abuse for fear of being a burden, or being subject to increased abuse.  In many cases, the victim is intimidated into silence.

Looking out for signs of emotional abuse can help protect your loved ones.  If you notice odd behaviors such as sucking, rocking, or biting, mood swings, low self esteem, unexplained confusion, anxiety, depression, withdrawals or involuntary seclusion, investigate further or contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney immediately.

If emotional abuse goes undetected, it is likely the abuse will continue.  Illinois nursing home neglect and emotional abuse is unacceptable and individuals responsible for committing abuse or neglect towards residents need to be held responsible for their actions.

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Understanding the process of Illinois nursing home inspections and regulations can help prevent you or a loved one from being a victim of Illinois nursing home neglect.  Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are required to meet mandatory Illinois state standards that set the requirements and minimum levels of care that must be provided to all residents.  Facilities are required by law to comply with these standards and provide the highest quality of care possible.  Unfortunately, Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers say this isn’t always the case.

Survey teams are sent to inspect and evaluate whether facilities meet the standards.  If they do, the teams certify their success in meeting specific care standards.  Facilities that fail to meet the standards are subject to enforcement actions or fines as Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys discussed in the previous post.

When a nursing home is cited for a deficiency, they are given a penalty letter which identifies the specific violation(s) and reason(s) for enforcement action.  Nursing homes have the right to dispute the penalties and can ask to discuss the accuracy of findings.  Nursing homes can also request a formal hearing before an administrative law judge to appeal deficiencies.  The State Department of Health and the nursing home may agree to a settlement at any time before or during the hearing.

Money collected from violations on standards are put in a special fund used by the Illinois Department of Public Health to monitor health care facilities.  This fund allows the IDPH to monitor facilities not in compliance and to help protect residents from receiving inadequate care and being a victim of Illinois nursing home neglect.

If you believe you or a loved one is residing in a facility that is in violation of state or federal standards, contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney immediately.

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Pressure ulcers are a painful yet preventable condition that many residents in long-term care facilities suffer from.  If someone you love has suffered from pressure ulcers (also known as bed sores), consider contacting a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.  This preventable condition may be a sign that Illinois nursing home neglect is taking place.

According to Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers, this preventable condition has four general stages.  Stage one is the first sign of an impending ulceration with the skin still intact.  Stage two involves a partial-thickness loss of skin.  A lesion may present as an abrasion, superficial ulceration or blister.  Stage three involves a full-thickness loss of skin.  It extends into the tissue beneath the skin.  The lesion presents as a crate with or without undermining of adjacent tissue.  Stage four involves a full-thickness loss of skin and subcutaneous tissue.  It extends into the bone, muscle, tendon or joint capsule.

Pressure ulcers can quickly progress from Stage One to Stage Four.  If one develops, it must be kept clean.  Surgery is often necessary, requiring the removal of dead tissue.  In severe cases, reconstructive surgery might be necessary.  If the infection spreads, amputation may be required.  Pressure ulcers become life-threatening if advanced sepsis develops.
Pressure ulcers are a serious condition.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers have represented numerous victims of this painful condition.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a pressure ulcer or bedsore, contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.  Pressure ulcers can be prevented with proper care and therefore are a sign of neglect.

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Sadly, Illinois nursing home neglect has become increasingly common.  If you live in or around Chicago, nursing home abuse attorneys are very knowledgeable about the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act and it’s guidelines.  They are dedicated to improving the quality of care in Illinois and preventing residents from neglect and abuse.

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act allows a resident to recover actual damages suffered as a result of “abuse” or “neglect.”  Actual damages are also known as compensatory damages and include medical expenses incurred, expected expenses and attorney fees for Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers.

A Chicago nursing home abuse attorney defines “Abuse” and “Neglect” as it pertains to the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act:

Abuse – “Any physical or mental injury or sexual assault inflicted on a resident other than by accidental means.”
Neglect – “Failure to provide adequate medical or personal care or maintenance when that failure results in physical or mental injury to a resident or the deterioration of a resident’s physical or mental condition.”

If you or a loved one has been the victim of an intentional or negligent act in a nursing home, a compassionate Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer can help pursue justice.  Residents of nursing homes deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

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Recently, a jury awarded $51,000 to the family of a nursing home resident.  She suffered a large and painful bed sore that ate through her skin to the bone.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers explain that although Illinois nursing home neglect lawsuits may not yield as much as other personal injury cases, the family gets the satisfaction of holding the facility accountable for their wrongdoing.

In this specific case, the woman died after undergoing a procedure to treat bone infections and remove the bedsores.  The woman had multiple bedsores, found to be caused by extreme neglect.  In addition to awarding the monies, the jury decided the nursing home should be responsible for the attorney’s fees.  A Chicago nursing home abuse attorney explains the civil justice system is about holding those who break civil laws responsible and financially liable to the victim.  Nursing homes must be held responsible for negligent acts.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of Illinois nursing home neglect, you have legal rights to hold the negligent party accountable.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers have extensive experience and can help bring the responsible party to justice.  They can also help you understand your legal rights and options.

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