A former nursing home employee reported to state health officials that he witnessed severe neglect at the nursing home in which he worked, including a resident’s severe bed sores, an elderly resident lying in a pool of urine and another resident who had fallen and was calling for help, yet…
As more Americans reach their golden years, elder abuse in nursing homes, in private homes and in hospitals has become more prevalent. Over 500,000 reports of elder abuse were made in the United States each year for the last several years. Many more instances of abuse are likely unreported. With advances in…
Illinois State Sen. Kwame Raoul, a Democratic from Chicago, has proposed an amendment to the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure in the form of Senate Bill 1912. The purpose of the bill is to create an enforcement mechanism for civil cases that settle, but in which the defendant refuses to comply…
There have been increasing reports in recent years about elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. Many elderly adults are abused in their own homes, in relatives’ homes, and in facilities responsible for their care. The abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or it can occur in the form of financial exploitation.…
In order to file a civil lawsuit, you need to have some concrete damages, such as medical bills, lost time from work, or property damage. However, oftentimes a party might also be seeking some non-concrete damages, such as loss of normal life, pain and suffering, or loss of society. The…
In the recent case of Vincent v. Alden-Park Strathmoor, Inc., No. 110406, 2011 WL 1077706 (Ill.Sup.Ct.), the Supreme Court reviewed the nursing home malpractice lawsuit to determine whether or not punitive damages are allowed in the event that the wronged party is deceased. The Vincent case was filed by the…
The Illinois wrongful death lawsuit of Estate of Richard Schrik, deceased v. Oyindamola Omole, RN, No. 07 L 10740, involved claims that the decedent died as a result of nursing negligence. The nursing home resident fell while under the supervision of a nursing staff member and was the victim of…
A series of articles by the Chicago Tribune on the poor state of Illinois nursing homes has prompted public action, the latest of which is an increase in surprise inspections to local nursing homes by state officials. Surprise inspections are key in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for nursing…
On July 29, 2010, Governor Pat Quinn signed a landmark nursing home safety bill. The new legislation is designed to put in place additional safeguards to protect Illinois senior citizens living in nursing home facilities from harm or nursing home abuse. One of these provisions under the new Illinois nursing…
An Illinois nursing home abuse lawsuit was recently the subject of a review by the Illinois Appellate Court; Peterson v. Residential Alternatives of Illinois, Inc., No. 3-09-0743. The court reviewed whether the Illinois nursing home had the right to demand the decedent’s estate arbitrate its two-count complaint claiming a wrongful…