Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Was your loved one harmed in a nursing home or long-term care facility? Abuse and neglect in nursing homes are serious violations of trust, and families have the right to demand answers and accountability.
At Ankin Law, our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers represent residents who were injured, mistreated, or placed at risk because a facility failed to provide safe and lawful care. We investigate quickly, preserve evidence, and take action against negligent nursing homes and corporate owners.
When you hire the attorneys at Ankin Law to handle your injury case, you’ll benefit from:
- 24/7 availability
- More than 100 years of combined experience
- FREE consultations
- A team that will come to you if you can’t come to us
- No attorney fees unless we win your case
If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, call (312) 600-0000 for Ankin Law.
“Nursing home abuse cases are some of the most disturbing cases we handle because the victims often cannot protect themselves. When a facility cuts corners or ignores warning signs, people get hurt. Our job is to expose what happened behind closed doors and force accountability.”
— Howard Ankin, Founder, Ankin Law
Table of Contents
What Is Considered Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is any intentional, reckless, or negligent act that causes harm or creates a serious risk of harm to a nursing home resident. Abuse can be committed by staff members, caregivers, administrators, contractors, other residents, or even third parties allowed access to the facility.
Nursing home abuse includes:
- Physical abuse such as hitting, pushing, or improper restraints
- Emotional abuse including threats, humiliation, intimidation, or isolation
- Sexual abuse involving unwanted sexual contact or exploitation
- Financial exploitation such as theft, coercion, or misuse of funds
Center:
Injured by a medical provider? Check out our medical malpractice knowledge center to learn more about medical malpractice cases.
Common Types of Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect is also a form of elder abuse. Neglect occurs when a facility fails to meet a resident’s basic needs, even without malicious intent. Examples include:
Medical Neglect
This occurs when residents do not receive adequate medical care. Failing to administer prescribed medications, delays in seeking medical attention for injuries or illnesses, or neglecting to provide necessary medical treatments and therapies are all examples of medical neglect.
Hygiene Neglect
Hygiene neglect involves the failure to assist residents with activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, oral care, toileting, and changing clothes. Residents may suffer from infections, skin breakdown, or emotional distress due to poor hygiene practices.
Center:
Injured by a medical provider? Check out our medical malpractice knowledge center to learn more about medical malpractice cases.
Nutritional Neglect
Nutritional neglect occurs when residents do not receive proper nutrition and hydration. This can result from inadequate meal preparation, failure to accommodate dietary needs or preferences, or neglecting to assist residents with eating and drinking. Malnutrition and dehydration can lead to weight loss, weakness, and susceptibility to illness.
Emotional Neglect
Emotional neglect involves the failure to provide residents with social interaction, emotional support, and meaningful activities. Residents may experience loneliness, depression, anxiety, or feelings of abandonment due to neglectful practices by staff or isolation from other residents.
Social Neglect
Social neglect occurs when residents are isolated or excluded from participating in social activities, events, or community outings. Staff may fail to engage residents in group activities, recreational programs, or opportunities for socialization, leading to feelings of loneliness, boredom, and decreased quality of life.
Environmental Neglect
Environmental neglect refers to unsafe or unsanitary living conditions within the nursing home facility. This can include inadequate maintenance of living spaces, failure to address safety hazards, poor cleanliness and sanitation practices, and insufficient pest control measures.
Hygiene and Infection Control Neglect
Neglecting proper hygiene and infection control measures can lead to the spread of infections and diseases among residents. This may include failure to implement hand hygiene protocols, improper cleaning and disinfection of shared surfaces, and inadequate management of contagious illnesses.
Identifying and addressing these forms of neglect is crucial for ensuring the health, safety, and dignity of nursing home residents. Families and loved ones should remain vigilant for signs of neglect and take action to hold facilities accountable for failing to provide appropriate nursing home care and support to residents.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse helps you protect your loved one. Additionally, identifying elder abuse soon after it occurs affords you with the opportunity to gather evidence before it is destroyed.
Since nursing home abuse takes many forms, the signs that your loved one is suffering can vary. However, there are some key characteristics to watch for that may indicate a resident has suffered harm.
- Bruises, cuts, or welts
- Broken bones or fractures
- Head injuries
- Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
- Frequent falls
- Unexplained death
- Fearfulness or withdrawal
- Sudden agitation or depression
- Avoidance of certain staff members
- Touch aversion or regression
- Missed medications
- Infections left untreated
- Rapid physical or cognitive decline
- Bruising on wrists or ankles
- Over-sedation or constant grogginess
- Confusion inconsistent with prior condition
- Weight loss or dehydration
- Poor hygiene
- Dirty clothing or bedding
- Bedsores
- Wandering or elopement
- Torn or bloody clothing
- Unexplained genital injuries
- STIs
- Emotional distress or fear
- Missing valuables
- Unexplained withdrawals
- Sudden changes to accounts or powers of attorney
Facilities that discourage visits, restrict access, or pressure families not to report concerns often have deeper problems. Transparency is a sign of proper care.
How Nursing Home Abuse Cases Are Investigated
Nursing home abuse rarely happens in plain sight. Facilities often deny wrongdoing, blame residents’ medical conditions, or claim injuries were unavoidable.
Our nursing home abuse lawyers conduct immediate, in-depth investigations, including:
- Reviewing medical records and medication logs
- Examining staffing schedules and shift reports
- Identifying prior complaints and inspection violations
- Interviewing witnesses and former employees
- Preserving surveillance footage and internal reports
- Consulting medical and geriatric care experts
Early legal action is critical. Facilities control records, and delays can result in lost evidence or altered documentation.
Most nursing homes cited for abuse or neglect had prior violations before a serious injury occurred. Many cases are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of systemic failure.
Common Nursing Home Injuries That Lead to Lawsuits
Certain injuries strongly suggest abuse or neglect:
- Bedsores and infections
- Recurrent falls
- Fractures and head trauma
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Medication overdoses or errors
- Sexual assault injuries
Facilities often attribute these injuries to aging, but the law requires nursing homes to prevent foreseeable harm, regardless of a resident’s health condition.
When Nursing Home Abuse Leads to Wrongful Death
Some nursing home abuse cases tragically result in death due to:
- Untreated infections or sepsis
- Fatal falls
- Severe dehydration or malnutrition
- Medication errors
- Physical or sexual assault
- Failure to respond to medical emergencies
Families may pursue wrongful death claims for medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the suffering endured before death.
The Federal Rights of a Nursing Home Resident
Federal laws establish clear standards for nursing home care, including:
Nursing Home Reform Act (1987)
The Nursing Home Reform Act requires adequate staffing, individualized care plans, proper nutrition, hygiene, medical care, and a resident Bill of Rights.
Elder Justice Act
The Elder Justice Act mandates reporting of abuse, funds protective services, and creates safeguards against repeat offenders.
Older Americans Act
The Older Americans Act supports elder services and abuse prevention programs nationwide.
Violations of these laws often form the foundation of nursing home abuse lawsuits.
Understanding the laws that regulate Illinois nursing homes can help you decide if your loved one’s legal rights have been violated. The federal laws that govern nursing homes are:
How to Report Abuse in a Nursing Home
While reporting the suspected abuse of your loved one to the nursing home supervisor is usually the first step, that isn’t always the case. Sometimes, it’s better to report elder abuse to a third party instead. Fortunately, Illinois has a number of resources available to people who wish to report nursing home abuse.
Some of the ways you can report nursing home abuse include:
- Calling 9-1-1: If you believe that your loved one is in immediate danger, you should call 9-1-1 to report the abuse right away. Emergency responders will evaluate your loved one’s condition and remove him or her from harm’s way.
- Contacting the Long Term Care Ombudsman: You can contact your local Long Term Care Ombudsman, who will investigate your complaint and take steps to resolve any issues concerning nursing home abuse or neglect.
- Contacting the Senior Helpline: You may also call the Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966 (toll-free) or (888) 206-1327 (TTY). Alternatively, you can contact the agency by e-mail at aging.ilsenior@illinois.gov.
- Calling a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer: The nursing home abuse attorneys at Ankin Law offer free, no-obligation consultations to people who may need to file a lawsuit for elder abuse. Our lawyers can guide you through reporting the suspected abuse and help you access resources to ensure your loved one is safe.
Causes of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
Any number of factors can lead to abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Some primary causes of elder abuse are the fault of the nursing home itself, while others fall on the staff member providing care. The cause of your loved one’s injuries may help determine who to hold liable in a nursing home abuse lawsuit.
Top causes of nursing home abuse or neglect include:
- Chronic understaffing
- Negligent hiring
- Inadequate training
- Profit-driven management
- Poor supervision
- Ignored complaints
Many facilities fail residents long before serious injuries occur.
Compensation Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Can Help You Recover
The compensation available in your nursing home abuse claim depends on the damages you or your loved one suffered. Often, this is dependent on the nature of the abuse suffered. When physical injuries occur, a resident may require medical treatment that he or she otherwise would not have needed. When abusive acts are intentional, punitive damages may apply to punish the abuser. If a resident sustains financial losses from exploitation, these can also be recovered through a claim.
Compensatory damages in a nursing home abuse case include:
- Economic damages. Economic damages represent the financial losses the resident experienced. These losses can be direct financial costs, or indirect costs. Examples of economic damages in a nursing home abuse claim include medical treatment costs and compensation for stolen valuables or money.
- Non-economic damages. Non-economic damages represent the emotional costs a resident endures as a result of abuse or neglect. These damages include pain and suffering, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life. The value of these damages is harder to prove; therefore, they are typically calculated based on the value of the economic damage award.
We’ve Recovered Hundreds of Millions on Behalf of Injured Chicagoans
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit?
The liable party in a nursing home abuse lawsuit depends on whom the abuser was and the circumstances that allowed for the abuse. Knowing how to identify the liable party in your nursing home abuse lawsuit helps you determine who to sue.
- When the nursing home is liable for abuse: The nursing home may be liable for abuse or neglect resulting from improper staffing, a failure to screen new hires, improper training, or policies that facilitate abusive conditions.
- When a caregiver is at fault: A caregiver is liable when abuse or neglect occurs because of intentional acts, such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, or emotional abuse. Caregivers are also liable for neglect that occurs as a violation of facility policy or an intentional act.
- When abuse is caused by another resident: In some cases, abuse may occur at the hands of another resident. When this occurs, the facility may still be held liable for negligent security or neglectful conditions that allowed for the abuse.
“No family should have to wonder whether their loved one is safe in a nursing home. When abuse or neglect happens, silence protects the wrongdoer. Legal action protects the resident.”
How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help You
Nursing homes do not admit fault easily. Allegations of abuse or neglect put their licenses, funding, reputation, and corporate ownership at risk. As a result, facilities often respond by denying wrongdoing, blaming residents’ medical conditions, or quietly altering records. Families are left frustrated, confused, and unsure who to trust. That is where an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer makes a critical difference.
At Ankin Law, we step in immediately to protect residents and level the playing field. Our nursing home abuse lawyers know how these facilities operate, how they defend claims, and where misconduct is most often hidden. We take swift action to preserve evidence before it disappears and to uncover patterns of neglect that families are rarely shown.
When you work with our firm, we handle every aspect of your case, including:
- Securing and preserving evidence, such as medical records, medication logs, staffing schedules, care plans, and incident reports
- Investigating the facility’s history, including prior complaints, state inspections, and regulatory violations
- Identifying all responsible parties, from individual caregivers to corporate owners, management companies, and third-party contractors
- Working with medical and geriatric experts to establish how the abuse or neglect occurred and why it was preventable
- Communicating with insurers and defense attorneys, so you are not pressured into accepting excuses or inadequate settlements
- Preparing every case for trial, not just settlement, to maximize leverage and accountability
We understand that these cases are not just legal disputes. They involve trust, dignity, and the safety of someone who may not be able to speak for themselves. Our attorneys approach every nursing home abuse case with urgency, compassion, and a commitment to uncovering the truth.
If a nursing home failed your loved one, we are prepared to hold them fully accountable. Call (312) 600-0000.
Who Can Sue in a Nursing Home Abuse Case?
Injured nursing home residents may file abuse and neglect claims directly. In fatal cases, family members or estates may pursue wrongful death claims.
How Long Do You Have to Sue a Nursing Home in Illinois?
Most cases are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, with exceptions for incapacitation, tolling, and financial exploitation.
What Is the Difference Between Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect?
Abuse involves intentional harm. Neglect involves failure to provide necessary care. Both are actionable under Illinois law.
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This is a very good law firm. Being represented by them in a worker’s comp & personal injury case. If there are any issues with dealing with worker’s comp sending benefits payments, they stay on them and make sure that you’re receiving your benefits. Mr. Goldstein and his assistant Alex Quigley are amazing. She has made sure that I’ve received ALL of my benefits and responds to my emails in a timely manner, whenever I have questions or concerns about my case. My attorney Mr. Scott Goldstein is there when I need him to assure me that they have not forgotten about me and continue to push for a resolution of my claim.
Helpful Resources for Nursing Home Abuse Survivors in Chicago
Remember, you have the right to live in a safe and dignified environment, free from abuse and neglect. Don’t hesitate to reach out to these resources for help, support, and advocacy. Call us today for a free consultation.
- National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) Website: The NCEA provides information, resources, and support services for victims of elder abuse, including nursing home abuse. They offer a helpline, state resources, and educational materials.
- National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center Website: This organization advocates for residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. They can assist with reporting abuse, providing information on residents’ rights, and resolving complaints.
- National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) Website: NAPSA is a national organization that supports adult protective services programs, which investigate and respond to cases of elder abuse, including those occurring in nursing homes.
- Elder Justice Coalition Website: This coalition provides resources and advocacy efforts to prevent elder abuse, including nursing home abuse. They offer educational materials, news updates, and a directory of state resources.
- Local Law Enforcement and Adult Protective Services: Contact your local police department or county adult protective services agency to report suspected nursing home abuse and seek guidance on available resources and support services in your area.
- Nursing Home Abuse Support Groups: Look for local or online support groups specifically for nursing home abuse survivors and their families. These groups can provide a safe space to share experiences, find emotional support, and connect with others who have gone through similar situations.