As our nation’s elderly have grown in number, so has the demand for nursing homes and other forms of elder care. While nursing homes continue to make record profits, they have failed to invest in hiring and training more nursing home staff to properly care for the growing number of nursing home residents. As a result, abuse and neglect of the elderly by nursing homes and their employees has become an epidemic. Nursing homes should be held liable when they pay more attention to their bottom line than to the welfare of their vulnerable residents.
The Chicago nursing home neglect lawyers at HM&M have handled hundreds of nursing home cases and have obtained significant results for our clients including:
- $6,800,000 verdict leading to a settlement on behalf of a woman who was given an improper dose of gentamicin at a nursing home, resulting in kidney failure;
- $3,750,000 settlement for an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s disease who was sexually abused by an employee of her nursing home; and
- $1,000,000 for a 90 year old woman sexually molested by employee of her nursing home.
When you suspect that the care provided to your loved one in a nursing home does not meet your expectations, you may only know half of the story. Nursing homes can abuse your trust in a variety of ways, such as through abuse, neglect, fraud, and the failure to comply with state statutes such as the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act. Signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:
- Bed sores (pressure ulcers and decubitus ulcers), sores, and infections;
- Physical, sexual or emotional abuse or assault;
- Dehydration or malnutrition;
- Improper use of restraints;
- Severe falls resulting in fractures or head injury; and
- An unexpected or unexplained death.
Unfortunately, many nursing home residents do not have the physical or mental capacity to communicate with staff members or loved ones about abuse or neglect. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act and other state and federal laws are specifically designed to protect the rights of highly vulnerable nursing home residents.
“We were angry and frustrated and scared and sad. And the attorneys at Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. kept us focused and on track and allowed us to do what we needed to do. But we were all in it together.”
Nursing home residents who sustain injury as a result of abuse or neglect, as well as their families, may be entitled to receive monetary compensation for the following:
- Past and future medical expenses;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disability or disfigurement;
- Aggravation of pre-existing conditions; and
- Loss of love and affection (“Loss of Society”) when a wrongful death occurs.
When a nursing home abuses your trust, it will never reveal the truth to you. You need aggressive and experienced trial lawyers to make the nursing home take responsibility.
HM&M has a proven track record of holding nursing homes and other elder care facilities accountable for nursing home abuse and neglect. Because nursing home abuse and neglect claims often involve the same nursing homes our Chicago nursing home neglect lawyers have faced time and time again, we are ready at the moment we take your case to take the actions necessary to prove your claim—getting the medical records, filing suit, and interviewing critical witnesses—all with the goal of achieving full and swift justice for the injured nursing home resident and the resident’s family. Contact us today for assistance.
A Sample of Our Successes
- $6,800,000 – Verdict plus settlement on behalf of an 81 year old woman that suffered loss of her kidney function and needed permanent dialysis due to improper use of gentamicin at a nursing home. Our successful appeal after the verdict increased the amount led to increase in amount recovered for the plaintiff from $3,200,000 to $6,800,000. Affirmed by Illinois Appellate Court.
- $3,750,000 – Settlement for an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s Disease who was sexually abused by an employee of her nursing home.
- $1,000,000 – Verdict and settlement for a 90 year old woman sexually abused by an employee of her nursing home, Ashwood Healthcare Center in Elgin, Illinois.
Read more about these common nursing home abuse practice areas:
- Hospital or Institutional Negligence
- Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
For a free consultation, contact Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. today at 312-553-4900 or fill out our online form to have a lawyer contact you.
