Many people who live in Illinois nursing homes are completely dependent upon the employees of those facilities for all their needs of daily life. From getting dressed and bathing to eating and moving around, some residents are so restricted by their ailments that they are unable to care for themselves. This is one of many reasons that individuals may be placed in a nursing home or other long term care facility whether that placement is made by family or by the patient personally.
The employees of Illinois nursing homes are required to provide care appropriate to the needs of those who reside there and failure to do so may be negligent. Once negligence happens, it cannot be undone and any injuries that may result to a resident cannot be erased. However, to ease the suffering of the patient and/or that patient’s family, the laws of the state may enable these individuals to seek financial compensation for their suffering through the use of a civil claim for damages brought against all those responsible for the negligence. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago can help victims understand whether they are entitled to relief, and if so, who may be civilly liable for their losses.
An incident in a nursing home in Belleville has been under investigation recently to determine whether criminal wrongdoing was responsible for the death of an elderly woman. According to reports, an 85-year-old woman was pronounced dead after falling down a flight of stairs while unsupervised. An investigation revealed that the woman was strapped into the wheelchair and was staring at a vending machine near the stairwell moments before the fall. Security camera footage reportedly revealed that no one was with the woman and it is not clear why she was by herself. The fall itself was not caught on camera but employees found the woman shortly after the fall and at least one employee failed to report the incident immediately. When questioned later, the employee claimed she was afraid of losing her job if she reported the fall.
A 911 call was made by a different employee who was aware of the situation and emergency crews responded to the home. The woman was declared dead as a result of the fall and allegations persist that the conduct of the staff at the home was unacceptable after that point as well. Through the review of the incident, the local coroner found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing and it appears that no criminal charges will be brought at this time.
The lack of criminal charges does not mean that wrongdoing did not occur. Rather, victims of nursing home abuse are protected in the state of Illinois by certain laws that enable them to seek financial compensation for their suffering, medical expenses, and other damages.
The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. have assisted many nursing home abuse victims obtain the relief they deserve, and if you have suffered or if you suspect your loved one has been injured due to neglect or abuse, we want to help you as well. We offer a free case consultation without obligation to those who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call.
Prior Blog Entry:
Employee at 3 Different Elderly Homes Accused of Stealing Medication from Patients, Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog, published February 2, 2015.
Resource:
No charges in woman’s fatal fall at Belleville nursing home, Belleville News-Democrat, Northwest Herald, published March 24, 2015.