In the United States, the average lawsuit for nursing home abuse settles out of court for approximately $406,000, but a successful court trial can have even a higher payout. When physical and emotional abuse happens, elderly patients suffer a variety of negative health conditions that lead to immobility and premature death.
When nursing home neglect causes injuries, family members can file a personal injury negligence lawsuit in civil court to recover damages for a variety of expenses.
Nursing home negligence can be reported through national and state organizations, local law enforcement, regional help hotlines, a long-term care ombudsman, and medical professionals.
In a recent Kaiser Health investigation, reports show that hundreds of in-home hospice patients and their families have been abandoned by hospice caregivers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a crisis in Illinois nursing homes caused by insufficient staffing, poor retention of qualified nurses, a lack of proper job training, and low wages.
Illinois lawmakers are advocating for nursing home reforms that protect residents, increase wages for staff, and allow residents to see loved ones.
In cases of suspicious nursing home deaths, requesting an autopsy may help surviving family members prove the cause of a loved one’s death and eliminate the possibility of abuse and neglect.
With COVID-19 mandates in place that limit nursing home visitors during the pandemic, residents are facing a silent health threat for the holidays – social isolation.
At least 20 Chicago skilled nursing facilities were flagged and cited for health and safety violations that pose injury risks to patients.