Abels & Annes, P.C. Personal Injury Blog

When a family member or a loved one is placed in a nursing home, often it is the result of much deliberation and with great consideration to the loved one’s condition and needs. In some cases, it may be evident immediately that a person needs nursing assistance around-the-clock, like following a serious accident or a difficult surgery. However, many cases involve elderly Americans progressively moving toward the need for greater and greater help until a family or others can no longer care for that person at home. It is at this time that a nursing home may be utilized. The need for physical care of an elderly adult is one of the most common reasons that a person ends up as a resident of a nursing home. With this in mind, it is imperative that the employees of these homes abide by all standards and heed all necessary directives regarding the care and treatment of these nursing home patients; failure to do so may be negligent or even reckless and too often leads to injuries sustained by these nursing home residents. If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home negligent and abuse, it may seem unthinkable to you because of your trust in the facility and the employees to whom your loved one’s car was entrusted. But personal injury attorneys in the Chicago area can tell you that nursing home neglect and abuse happens with regularly across the nation and, unfortunately, Illinois is no exception. While nothing can erase the emotional scarring and the physical damage of these instances, victims and/or their family members may be able to seek and obtain financial compensation for their damages through the use of a civil claim. An incident in a Long Island nursing home back in 2012 resulted in the […]

Muchas personas que viven en hogares de ancianos en Illinois son completamente dependientes de los empleados de esas instalaciones para todas sus necesidades de la vida diaria. Desde vestirse y bañarse para comer y moverse, algunos residentes están tan restringidos por sus dolencias que no pueden cuidar de sí mismos. Esta es una de las muchas razones por las que las personas pueden ser colocadas en un hogar de ancianos u otro centro de atención a largo plazo ya sea si esa colocación se hace por la familia o por el paciente personalmente. Se requiere que los empleados de hogares de ancianos en Illinois provean la atención adecuada a las necesidades de aquellos que residen allí y el no hacerlo puede ser negligente. Una vez que ocurra la negligencia, no se puede deshacer y cualquier lesión que le pueda resultar a un residente no se puede borrar. Sin embargo, para aliviar el sufrimiento del paciente y / o familiares de ese paciente, las leyes del estado pueden permitirle a estas personas a buscar una compensación financiera por su sufrimiento a través del uso de una demanda civil por daños y perjuicios presentados contra todos los responsables de la negligencia. Hablando con un abogado de lesiones personales en Chicago puede ayudarle a las víctimas a comprender si tienen derecho a la ayuda, y si es así, quien puede ser civilmente responsable por sus pérdidas. Un incidente en un hogar de ancianos en Belleville ha estado bajo investigación recientemente para determinar si maldad criminal fue responsable de la muerte de una anciana. Según los informes, una mujer de 85 años de edad, fue pronunciada muerta después de caerse por un tramo de escaleras sin supervisión. Una investigación reveló que la mujer estaba amarrada a la silla de ruedas y estaba mirando a […]

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 […]

Cuando un residente de un hogar de ancianos o centro de cuidado a largo plazo se le prescribe medicamentos para tratar una enfermedad, ese residente debe recibir el medicamento según lo prescrito y / o según sea necesario. Los familiares de estos residentes no deben ser obligados a preocuparse acerca de si el medicamento será administrado correctamente y los propios residentes no deberían tener que sufrir debido a los retrasos o las dosis perdidas. Sin embargo, a pesar de los requerimientos que los empleados administren medicamentos apropiadamente y según lo programado, incidentes numerosos suceden en Illinois cada año que involucran dosificación inadecuada o medicamentos omitidos. Illinois no es el único estado que sufre de estos problemas, se está convirtiendo en un problema en todo el país. El impacto de medicamentos fallados puede ser menor o puede ser extrema y en algunos casos, incluso fatal. Ciertos tipos de medicamentos deben estar espaciadas precisamente o las consecuencias pueden ser nefastas. A finales de enero, un empleado de un hogar de ancianos en Indianápolis fue arrestado bajo sospecha de que estaba robando medicamentos de algunos de los residentes del hogar. Adicionalmente, registros de trabajo mostraron que el empleado tenía turnos regulares en otros dos hogares de ancianos en la ciudad, haciendo su acceso a los pacientes y sus medicamentos inmensa. Los oficiales locales y aquellos con la Agencia Antidrogas no han revelado cuales medicamentos específicamente fueron presuntamente robadas o si algunos pacientes sufrieron daños como resultado. En el momento de su arresto, la empleada supuestamente tenía sustancias controladas en su persona en el cual a ella no se los habían recetado. Ahora se enfrenta a cargos de interferir con los servicios médicos y obtener sustancias controladas por robo o fraude.

When a resident of a nursing home or long term care facility is prescribed medication to treat an ailment, that resident should receive the medication as prescribed and/or as needed. The family members of these residents should not be forced to worry about whether the medication will be administered properly and the residents themselves should not have to suffer due to delays or missed dosages. Yet despite the requirements that employees administer drugs appropriately and as scheduled, numerous incidents happen in Illinois every year that involve improper dosing or skipped medication. Illinois is not the only state to suffer from these issues though as it is becoming a problem across the nation. The impact of missed medication can be minor or it can be extreme and in some cases, even fatal. Certain types of medication must be spaced precisely or the consequences can be dire. In late January, an employee at an Indianapolis nursing home was arrested on suspicion of stealing medication from some residents of the home. Additionally, work records show the employee had regular shifts at two other nursing homes in the city, making her access to patients and their medications vast. Local officials and those with the Drug Enforcement Agency have not disclosed which specific medication were allegedly stolen or whether any patients were harmed as a result. At the time of her arrest, the employee allegedly had controlled substances on her person that she did not possess a prescription for. She is now facing charges of interfering with medical services and obtaining controlled substances by theft or fraud.

The residents of a given nursing home in Illinois likely have different medical issues that will need different types and levels of care. Some have their mental faculties and may need assistance only with physical tasks; others may be able-bodied but may need help with mental issues. The wide variety of issues that are found in any given long-term care facility mean that employees and owners of nursing homes must be prepared to take action and assist where and when needed. When placing a loved one in a nursing home, people often worry about the health of the patient and wonder whether they are making the correct decision. The safety of that resident may be less of a focus as family members trust that licensed facilities will act appropriately and will provide the care their loved one deserves. But unfortunately, that is not always the case and nursing home abuse continues to be problematic in Illinois and in Chicago, leaving victims with physical and mental injuries that may require additional medical care. When abuse or neglect occur in a nursing home setting or other long-term care facility, those who suffer may be entitled to financial compensation. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Illinois may help you understand your options and whether your loved one has a valid claim if you suspect wrongdoing or malfeasance in a nursing home setting. In an upsetting incident, police in Ohio have confirmed that a nursing home resident died from hypothermia after she wandered outside this week. The nursing home at issue is located in Sagamore Hills, a city southeast of Cleveland and it reportedly focuses on the care of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. A 94-year-old female moved into the facility in September of 2014 for additional care necessitated by dementia. While the details […]

Victims of any age and gender can be subjected to sexual abuse and assault, and though it may be surprising to some, the residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities are not immune from this threat. Rather, like many other victims, these residents may be abused because they are vulnerable targets and may not be able to resist or to report the misconduct done to them. Often, one abuser can victimize many in a single nursing home and can cause mental, emotional, and physical damages to these elderly victims. Nursing home abuse is a tragic epidemic in our country and across the State of Illinois. Many believe that the low level of awareness of this issue coupled with a low coverage rate in the local medias contribute to the lack of knowledge possessed by the public about abuse and neglect in care facilities, which in turn makes it easier for aggressors to prey on their victims. However, it is a crime to harm the elderly and anyone who does so or who is responsible for such conduct may be held liable to the full extent of the law. Medical professionals may lose their licenses and may be charged criminally but in many instances, that is merely the tip of the iceberg as victims or their surviving family members may be entitled to financial payment for their losses. The circumstances surrounding a specific incident vary so it may be helpful to speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn about your options and whether your loved one is entitled to payment if you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect. In a disturbing incident out of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a former nurse at a rehabilitation center has been charged with sexually assaulting a non-verbal patient. Police have alleged that the 45-year-old […]

People who place their loved ones in nursing homes often agonize about the decision. Which home is right? Who will provide the best care? Is this the step my loved one needs? Few think about whether their loved one will suffer abusive conduct at the hands of those employees and nursing home operators because such actions should be unthinkable. Yet every year, cases of nursing home abuse occur in Illinois and they victimize patients who need help and care but do not receive it. A large number of nursing home abuse cases go unreported in Illinois because the victims have no means to report their suffering or because victims believe they will not be believed. Even when abuse is suspected by family members, cover ups by the employees and facilities involved may occur and may make it impossible for these people to learn what really happened. More commonly, the incident is not covered up but rather intentionally misreported to family members to downplay the actions of the non-residents involved. When it seems like there was improper conduct against your loved one, speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Illinois who handles nursing home cases may help you understand what events transpired and whether your family has a valid claim for help. Tragically, authorities in Tennessee have announced that a former nursing home employee has been indicted on charges of abuse against a 96-year-old resident for whom the defendant provided care. In August of 2014, the defendant allegedly grabbed and twisted the arm of the elderly patient involved before striking the patient repeatedly on the head. The patient had bruising and multiple points of swelling following the incident and suffered pain, according to reports. Upon discovery of the incident, it was reported to local authorities, who began an investigation. Following that, […]

The needs of elderly Americans who reside in nursing homes can vary significantly depending on the nature of the patient and any medical conditions that may exist. Some need help sparingly with rare tasks, like lifting or moving heavy objects or navigating difficult terrain. More commonly, residents need extensive assistance and may require help with all daily activities like bathing, eating, and walking. Regardless of the level of care a patient needs, all residents of Illinois nursing homes should be assured that they will obtain the care they need to leave them safe and secure. Far too often, though, nursing home neglect occurs and these residents are left in dangerous situations that may cause injuries. Neglect can take many forms and may manifest itself in missed dosages of drugs, failed operating procedures regarding patient care, or even an ignorance of safety concerns. The residents of nursing homes in the state are dependent upon employees and the owners of these homes for help, and when neglect occurs instead of proper care, the residents may suffer. Injuries caused by abuse in a nursing home or neglectful action may lead to the rise of a claim for relief on behalf of the resident who was harmed and/or that resident’s family. As the conditions surrounding every incident vary, speaking with a personal injury attorney may help you understand your options and your rights if you suspect malfeasance. Illinois is not the only state where these claims occur, though, and a recent incident in Minnesota makes that clear. A nursing home resident in a Hastings facility was injured in an incident that led to the resident’s death. Reportedly, care instructions regarding the resident stated that the resident was never to be left unattended while out of bed; despite this order, an employee at the home […]

Is someone you love living in a nursing home in Illinois or elsewhere in the country? Have you ever had a friend, loved one, or family member placed in a nursing home or other type of long term care facility? If you are like millions of Americans, a nursing home has affected the life of someone you love. If it hasn’t, chances are it will at some point in the future as the population across the country ages. Once placed in a nursing home, residents should receive tailored care that they need and deserve to address their unique needs. Whether they need assistance with daily activities or help with eating, no Illinois nursing home resident should have to go with their issues undressed. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse happens every day in homes across the state and often leaves victims with physical and emotional injuries. This disturbing action is illegal and a threat to the entire state but tragically abuse in long term care facilities goes underreported as victims do not have the means or ability to make meaningful complaints in many situations. If your loved one currently resides in a nursing home, you may not know what signs to watch for that indicate abuse or neglect. Commonly, bruising, bed sores, dehydration, burns, and fear of employees or residents can signal a potential issue but it can be difficult to lean what actually is behind these signs. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Illinois may help you understand the cause of an injury and whether you and your loved one are entitled to relief. Some have been critical of the steps necessary to file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Public Health when nursing home abuse is suspected, but thanks to recent legislation, this process has been streamlined. In […]