Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been at least 282,000 reported cases of coronavirus in U.S. nursing homes, accounting for 43% of COVID-19 deaths.
Nursing Home Residents Are Dying from COVID-19
Coronavirus has created a new way of life for millions of people across the country. COVID-19 infections, illnesses, and deaths have impacted everyone’s lifestyle, income, family relations, daily activities, and safety. People of all ages have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak, but the hardest hit age group has been elderly adults living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
In the United States, 43% of COVID-19 deaths have been linked to nursing homes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), elderly adults have the highest risk of dying from COVID-19 due to weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions. The CDC notes that the risk of death from COVID-19 doubles for elderly residents in their 70s, 80s, and 90s.
Living in an enclosed environment with a high rate of illnesses and diseases, nursing home residents who become infected with coronavirus can quickly spread the virus to other residents, as well as nursing home staff. Even in normal times, nursing home abuse lawyers commonly see illnesses that spread rapidly throughout nursing home facilities.
With a significant number of COVID-19 nursing home deaths, Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers have seen a steady rise in personal injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits filed by family members of victims. Many lawsuits allege negligent actions on the part of the nursing home as the cause of COVID-19 infections and deaths. Lawsuits filed against nursing homes and long-term care facilities allege various problems:
- Unsanitary conditions
- Inadequate care and treatment
- Neglect and/or abuse
- Poorly trained caregivers and staff
- Lack of personal protection equipment (PPE)
- Failure to report COVID-19 conditions
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the country have experienced record numbers of COVID-19 illnesses and deaths. In recent months, Illinois nursing homes have seen a deadly second surge in COVID-19 cases. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state has been hard hit with nearly 39,686 COVID-19 cases in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and more than 5,493 virus-related deaths. Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers are witnessing hundreds of new personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits related to COVID-19. The Chicago Tribune reports that the surge in COVID-19 deaths has been particularly steep throughout the greater Chicago area.
