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How to Deal with Nursing Home Abuse in Cook County, Illinois

Written by: Michael J. Helfand

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Posted over 2 years ago. Applies to Illinois, 0 helpful votes, 0 comments

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Signs of abuse or neglect

Often, individuals in nursing homes or other care facilities already have health issues. It can be hard to decide whether a decline is cause for alarm. Some classic signs of abuse and neglect are: bed sores, bruises, weight loss, dehydration, and emotional distress (depression, anxiety, etc.). You may also notice that your loved one has been over medicated or improperly monitored. This list is not exhaustive, but gives you an idea of what to look for.

Get medical attention

The first thing you should do if you notice a decline in health, emotional distress, or other red flags, is notify the care takers. Make sure a doctor or nurse treats them right away. For example, bed sores must be dealt with as soon as they are noticed. If they are left alone they can cause infection and even death. If the nursing home fails to follow through, you should get a second opinion from outside the home. The health and safety of your loved one is your priority.

Preserve evidence

You may be wondering whether you have a case for neglect or abuse against the nursing home. To succeed at a lawsuit, you would need to prove negligence and that the negligence caused harm. With this in mind, make sure everything is documented. Take pictures of any visible bruises or other injuries. Write down the names of medications and advice given for treatment. Keep notes of anything you can remember about the individual's care as well as the staff, nurses, doctors, and facilities. You never know what will help later on should you decide to bring a lawsuit.

Find an attorney

If you think you might have a case, the next step is to consult with an attorney who can answer your questions. You'll want someone with experience in nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuits. And you'll want that attorney to have specific experience in Cook County. Most nursing home abuse and neglect cases in Chicago are filed at the Daley Center downtown. A local attorney already knows the ins and outs of this courthouse, and is familiar with clerks, judges and other attorneys there. We believe hiring a local attorney can give you an advantage.

Additional Resources

If you have a loved one in a nursing home in Chicago, or elsewhere in Cook County, and you'd like to talk to an attorney about it, give us a call. We'll give you honest feedback, and if you need an attorney, we'll recommend someone with a track record of success in these cases.

Cook County nursing home abuse and neglect

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