Nursing home residents and their families put their trust in their caregivers and staff to meet their needs and keep them safe. Unfortunately, many nursing home patients are vulnerable to abuse from staff, residents, and others who wish to take advantage of their conditions.
At Levin & Perconti, we understand how heartbreaking it can be to suspect that your loved one is being abused in a nursing home and how difficult it can be to prove. We’ve assembled a list of steps to help you investigate and report nursing home abuse. Taking swift action can be critical to ensuring your loved one’s safety and well-being.
1. Recognize the Signs of Abuse
There are multiple types of nursing home abuse, each with different signs to look out for. Here are the common types with the corresponding signs to watch for:
- Physical abuse occurs when a resident is mistreated or neglected in a way that causes them bodily harm or pain. Such abuse can include hitting, misusing physical restraints, or non-consensual sexual contact. Signs of physical abuse include unexplained bruises, broken bones, or other injuries, as well as sudden behavioral changes like an increase in fear or anxiety.
- Emotional abuse usually involves insults, harassment, or threats directed at a resident and is the most common variety of elder abuse. Sudden anxiety, withdrawal from social interactions or favorite activities, and depression can be signs of emotional abuse.
- Neglect occurs when caregivers refuse or fail to address a resident’s basic needs, leading to malnutrition and deteriorating health. Untreated bedsores, unexplained weight loss, and poor hygiene can be signs of neglect.
- Financial abuse happens when nursing home employees or even family members take advantage of residents with some form of cognitive decline by stealing their property, impersonating them in financial transactions, or coercing them into changing their wills. Unexplained changes in financial documents or accounts, fraudulent signatures, and unusual withdrawals can point to financial abuse.
2. Ensure Immediate Safety
When you suspect nursing home abuse, take action as soon as possible. Call the police if your loved one is in immediate danger or distress. Remove them from the facility if possible. Our knowledgeable nursing home abuse attorneys can help you relocate your loved one and ensure their safety.
3. Document the Evidence
Creating a detailed record of the details you know to help establish when and how the abuse occurred.
When you visit, take thorough notes about the conditions at the home, recording specific dates, times, and incidents you’re aware of. If you can discretely and respectfully take photos of any visible injuries or signs of neglect, you can create crucial evidence.
Obtain recorded statements from your loved one if they’re able to provide one, and seek out any witnesses who might be willing to testify about what happened.
4. Report the Abuse to the Nursing Home Management
Take your evidence and file a complaint with the nursing home’s management. Bringing abuse to the facility administrator’s attention puts them on notice of the misconduct and gives them the opportunity to address the issue. However, this is not always the best path of action, especially if you suspect broader, systemic issues.
Before speaking with the facility’s administration, speak with a knowledgeable and experienced nursing home abuse attorney. Our attorneys can advise you of your options and guide you through the process.
5. Contact the Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman
If the facility fails or refuses to address the problem, you can file a complaint with the Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. The Ombudsman Program was established by federal law to protect nursing home residents and assist families with investigating abuse complaints and resolving care issues.
You can contact the Ombudsman Program through the Illinois Department on Aging’s website or by calling its Senior HelpLine.
6. Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health
Alongside the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Illinois Department of Public Health, or IDPH, is responsible for regulating and inspecting the state’s long-term care facilities.
You can file a complaint with the IDPH by filling out a form on its website or calling its 24-hour Nursing Home Hotline at 800-252-4343. Illinois Adult Protective Services can also help investigate cases of abuse.
7. Consult a Levin & Perconti Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Specializing in Elder Abuse
Seeking legal assistance is key to addressing nursing home abuse, especially if reporting internally or through state agencies doesn’t resolve the situation. Levin & Perconti has been a nationally recognized pioneer in nursing home neglect and abuse litigation for more than three decades and has over 400 years of combined experience, putting us in the best position to help you get justice for your loved one’s treatment.
We know how to successfully investigate and prove nursing home abuse claims. We often employ medical experts like geriatricians, forensic nurses, psychologists, and others to evaluate abuse and demonstrate its impact on the victim’s well-being. We also work with forensic accountants, data analysts, rehabilitation experts, social workers, and more to build the strongest case.
We’ve recovered over $20 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients since 1992. Examples of our significant nursing home abuse case results include the following:
- A $410,000 settlement for a dementia patient who was physically and sexually assaulted on one or more occasions by another resident of the defendant facility
- A $1.3M settlement for a 74-year-old nursing home resident who died from injuries suffered in a beating by a younger roommate with violent tendencies
8. Seek Additional Support
Local advocacy groups like AARP Illinois or the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care can help provide support and resources for you and your loved one while you investigate and resolve your nursing home abuse claims.
9. Follow Up
Don’t let the situation go unaddressed. After investigating and reporting suspected nursing home abuse, continue visiting with your loved one to ensure they are safe and thriving. Periodically follow up with the nursing home management or state agencies to monitor investigations and ensure they move forward properly.
Trust Levin & Perconti for Your Nursing Home Abuse Case
Taking immediate action is the best way to keep your loved one safe from suspected nursing home abuse and hold liable parties accountable for their unacceptable behavior. Our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys are passionate about standing up for the rights of long-term care residents and ensuring they get the justice they deserve.
Contact us online or call (312) 332-2872 today if you need help investigating, reporting, or taking legal action against nursing home abuse.
