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Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
As a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney, Attorney Uche consistently and succesfully sues nursing homes for abuse and negelct of the elderly and sick.
However, for most of the public, the idea that nursing home abuse exists is shocking since it sounds contradictory to the very idea of a nursing home.
Most would expect an establishment created specifically to provide care and love to be above such ugliness. The unfortunate truth, however, is that many nursing homes are not.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the rate of elder abuse is very high in nursing homes and long term health facilities. The WHO statistics indicate that 2 out of 3 staff members reported that they have abused at least one elder in the past year.
When a family decides to put their elderly loved one in a nursing home or long term health care facility, it is usually because they do not have the facility or the skill to do so by themselves.
Thus, when they commit their elders into the hands of the management and staff of nursing homes, they do so with the trust that they will keep their loved ones safe, comfortable and well-taken care of.
As a result, it can be disheartening when elderly loved ones are neglected, mistreated or abused by the people meant to protect them.
Such neglect, mistreatment or abuse is certainly a betrayal of trust – a dealing in bad faith on the part of the management and staff of the nursing home.
At Uche P.C., we understand the feelings of hurt and betrayal you may be feeling after your elderly loved one was exposed to elder abuse.
We understand why you want to hold them responsible for the hurt they have caused your mom, dad, uncle, aunt, grandparent or any other loved one and we are here to help you.
As a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney, Attorney Uche firmly believes that nursing home should be accountable for any abuse or negelct on their part as a facility or on the part of theur employees.
Our Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys will help you hold them to account and recover the compensation you and your loved ones deserve for the pain you have gone through.
Our dedication and passion for advocacy has seen us successfully try over five hundred cases to verdict, spanning multiple legal specialties, including personal injury and nursing home abuse and neglect cases.
With just a phone call to Uche P.C. at 312-380-5341, you can schedule a free and confidential consultation so we can help you achieve justice for your loved one.
Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
As a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney, Attorney Uche consistently and succesfully sues nursing homes for abuse and negelct of the elderly and sick. However, for most of the public, the idea that nursing home abuse exists is shocking since it sounds contradictory to the very idea of a nursing home.Â
Most would expect an establishment created specifically to provide care and love to be above such ugliness. The unfortunate truth, however, is that many nursing homes are not.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the rate of elder abuse is very high in nursing homes and long term health facilities. The WHO statistics indicate that 2 out of 3 staff members reported that they have abused at least one elder in the past year.
When a family decides to put their elderly loved one in a nursing home or long term health care facility, it is usually because they do not have the facility or the skill to do so by themselves.
Thus, when they commit their elders into the hands of the management and staff of nursing homes, they do so with the trust that they will keep their loved ones safe, comfortable and well-taken care of.
As a result, it can be disheartening when elderly loved ones are neglected, mistreated or abused by the people meant to protect them.
Such neglect, mistreatment or abuse is certainly a betrayal of trust – a dealing in bad faith on the part of the management and staff of the nursing home.
At Uche P.C., we understand the feelings of hurt and betrayal you may be feeling after your elderly loved one was exposed to elder abuse.
We understand why you want to hold them responsible for the hurt they have caused your mom, dad, uncle, aunt, grandparent or any other loved one and we are here to help you.
As a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney, Attorney Uche firmly believes that nursing home should be accountable for any abuse or negelct on their part as a facility or on the part of theur employees.
Our Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys will help you hold them to account and recover the compensation you and your loved ones deserve for the pain you have gone through.
Our dedication and passion for advocacy has seen us successfully try over five hundred cases to verdict, spanning multiple legal specialties, including personal injury and nursing home abuse and neglect cases.
With just a phone call to Uche P.C. at 312-380-5341, you can schedule a free and confidential consultation so we can help you achieve justice for your loved one.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
In most cases, an elderly one is admitted into a nursing home because the elderly loved one is vulnerable to injury if left alone. Due to this vulnerability, and the institutional setting of nursing homes, it is possible for the elder’s dignity and basic rights to be impugned upon.
Nursing home abuse is any type of harm that elderly residents suffer in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Any treatment that results in the infringement upon any of the rights mentioned above will constitute nursing home neglect or abuse.
According to the Nursing Home Abuse Center over 13% of all Americans are over the age of sixty-five. Of this number, one in six suffered one form of abuse or the other while in a community setting between 2017 and 2018.
While nursing home abuse or neglect can occur in different ways, its outcome is usually the same – causing severe and sometimes permanent injuries to its victims. To prevent this, some federal laws were put in place and they are:
The Nursing Home Reform Act: Signed into law in1987, the Act helps ensure that nursing home residents are not abused. Because of this Act, residents of nursing homes benefit from the “Residents Bill of Rights”. These rights include:
- The right to be free from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect;
- The right to be free from physical restraints;
- The right to privacy;
- The right to accommodation of medical, physical, psychological, and social needs;
- The right to participate in resident and family groups;
- The right to be treated with dignity;
- The right to exercise self-determination;
- The right to communicate freely;
- The right to participate in the formulation and review of one’s care plan, and to be fully informed in advance about any changes in care, treatment, or change of status in the facility; and
- The right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal.
These laws rely on states for implementation and oversight. Also, while these laws are federal laws and mostly guidelines, states also have laws that implement these guidelines and act to protect nursing home residents from abuse. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act provides rights for all nursing home residents. A few are outlined below:
- The right to vote and speak freely while you are in the nursing home
- The right to practice your religion.
- The right to stay in the same room with your spouse unless the facility does not have sufficient space ory our physician advises against it
- The right to unobstructed private contact by mail, telephone, or visitation. You can only be restricted from this if so ordered by your physician to protect you or other residents from harm.
- The nursing home cannot demand that you work
- The right to be free from abuse or neglect. Moreover, if you do suffer neglect and/or abuse, the facility head is obligated to report to your family or guardian and also the Illinois department of health
- The right to privacy in your room, medical and personal care program.
- You have the right to manage your finances yourself
- You cannot be forced to wear an identificationbracelet
- You and your spouse must be informed about spousal impoverishment rights when you are admitted.
The spousal impoverishment plan allows Medicaid to cover the nursing home expense of one spouse and allow a spouse living in the community to keep $2,739 in monthly income and $109,560 in assets.
Causes of Nursing Home Abuse
Understaffed Facilities
Burnout
Inexperienced Staff
Poor Supervision
Underpaid Staff
Criminal Records
Residents At Higher Risk Of Nursing Home Abuse
All residents are at risk of nursing home abuse or neglect. However, as Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys, we undertand that some residents are more vulnerable to abuse and neglect than others.
Residents who are perceived as being needier, requiring more time to care for or having special circumstances are more vulnerable to abuse. Some of the reasons why a resident can be open to abuse are outlined to the right.
Cognitive Illnesses:
Mental Illness:
Physical Disabilities:
Wealthy residents:
Gender:
Having Additional Needs:
Types Of Nursing Home Abuse Or Neglect
Physical Abuse e.g assault and battery
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse, when the older person is unable to understand or unwilling, or is threatened or physically forced
Passive neglect
Abandonment
Confinement, unnecessary physical restraint or isolation of an older person
Financial exploitation
Deprivation
Negligent or willful deprivation of medical care, food, water, physical assistance or other necessities
Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse Or Neglect
Malnutrition or dehydration
Unusual or unexplained bruising, cuts, punctures, skin tears
Staff not allowing a resident to be alone with a visitor
Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, sprains or fractures
Bedsores, pressure sores or frozen joints
Frequent venereal disease or genital infections
Loss of resident’s possessions
Lethargy
Lack of cleanliness
Sudden weight loss and changes in appetite
Unexplained broken bones or fractures
Sudden changes in Will or other financial documents
Sudden changes in behavior such as mood swings, outbursts, reclusiveness or withdrawn behaviour
Staff refusing access or delaying visitors who come to see a resident
Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts, or changes in banking practices
What To Do When You Suspect Your Loved One Of Being Abused Or Neglected In a Nursing Home
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), together with several other departments in Illinois accept and investigate reports of nursing home abuse or neglect.Â
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused in the nursing home where he or she is admitted, you should file a report with the IDPH. The IDPH will receive the report and investigate the matter.
You should also hire a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer immediately.Â
He or she will be an advocate for you throughout the entire process. He or she will also guide you through the process and ensure that you do not miss a step, thus helping you bring the responsible party to book.
You can also file a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit. This comes in various forms such as: a personal injury claim, medical malpractice lawsuit, and in the event of a death, a wrongful death lawsuit.
At Uche P.C., and as Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys, we will work with you to prove that your loved one suffered abuse, neglect and injury while admitted in the nursing home.
Some of the elements we will work to prove include:
- Proving that the staff of the nursing home owed you or your loved one a duty of care.
- Proving that the nursing home breached their duty of care to you and/or your loved one.
- Proving that you or your loved one suffered injuries as a result of the breach of duty and that the injuries might not have existed if the abuse or neglect did not happen.
What Compensation Should You Expect From Your Nursing Home Abuse OR Neglect Lawsuit?
The compensation to expect in a Chicago nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit are categorised into economic and non-economic compensation. They include:
Covering for all expenses related to the abuse
Compensation for pain and suffering
Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life
The total cost of staying in the nursing home
Relocation expenses if necessary
Possible punitive damages against those responsible for the abuse
Let an experienced Chicago nursing home abuse attorney help you.Â
At Uche P.C., we are dedicated and passionate about advocating for your rights.
We know the feelings of outrage that can accompany incidents where your rights or those of your loved ones are breached. Hence, we advocate for you aggressively with a passion born out of understanding.
We have served clients in the Chicago area for years, ensuring that they receive justice.
As a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney, Attorney Uche takes on clients on a contingency basis. This means that we will not collect any payment unless we win your case for you. Reach out to us today through our contact page or call us on 312-380-5341 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
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Nenye E. Uche
President, Uche P.C.
featured customer review
I sent attorney Nenye Uche the case of a friend who had her brother shot and killed by Chicago police. They said the kid had a gun and pointed at police and so no lawyer wanted to touch that case. Uche took the case and got a verdict of $1.18 million dollars!!
Latest News From Us
RECENT NEWS
Newsletter
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
This article educates families on how to spot nursing abuse or neglect and what to do about it when you do.
Attorney Uche secures a $1.18 million jury verdict on behalf of the family of a man shot and killed by Chicago Police
On June 20, 2015, Alfontish Cockerham was shot twice in the back and killed by a chicago police...
Attorney Uche secures a record $625,000 jury verdict for 11 hours of emotional distress on behalf of an elderly woman who fell in a nursing home
Attorney Uche's client, an elderly woman had been admitted to a nursing home in order to recover...
Newsletter
Latest News From Us
RECENT NEWS
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
This article educates families on how to spot nursing abuse or neglect and what to do about it when you do.
Attorney Uche secures a $1.18 million jury verdict on behalf of the family of a man shot and killed by Chicago Police
On June 20, 2015, Alfontish Cockerham was shot twice in the back and killed by a chicago police...
Attorney Uche secures a record $625,000 jury verdict for 11 hours of emotional distress on behalf of an elderly woman who fell in a nursing home
Attorney Uche's client, an elderly woman had been admitted to a nursing home in order to recover...
Contact Us
Tel:Â (312) 380-5341
Fax:(312) 854-8001
Email:Â nenye.uche@uchelitigation.com
Address: 314 N. Loomis St. Ste G2, Chicago, IL 60607