People getting sick as the seasons pass is an inevitability, especially in older populations with weakened immune systems. However, when illness and infection spread in a nursing home, it raises questions about what the staff did to stop the spread or mitigate the damage. If the facility acted negligently, it could give rise to a legal claim. For more information, reach out to a Peoria, IL nursing home neglect lawyer today.
Identifying the cause behind an outbreak of infection in a nursing home isn’t easy. At Nursing Home Injury Center, we can help you gather evidence to determine who can be held responsible for the harm your loved one suffered.
What Kinds of Infections Can Spread in a Nursing Home?
Infections can spread quickly in a nursing home. Residents live close together and share dining rooms, bathrooms, and common areas. Staff members also move from room to room all day. One sick worker or resident can pass an illness to many people within a few days. Four infections show up often in nursing homes:
Influenza
Influenza, often called the flu, can be deadly for older adults. Most healthy people recover from the flu in a week or two. Elderly residents face a much higher risk of hospital stays and death. The flu spreads through coughs, sneezes, and shared surfaces like doorknobs and handrails.
Nursing homes should offer yearly flu shots to residents and staff. They should also keep sick workers at home and separate residents who show symptoms. When staff ignore early signs like fever and body aches, the flu can sweep through an entire wing. Quick testing and early treatment can help prevent the worst outcomes.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid. It is one of the most common reasons residents are sent from a nursing home to the hospital. Pneumonia can follow the flu or another illness. It can also develop when a resident breathes food or liquid into the lungs. This is called aspiration pneumonia.
Residents who have trouble swallowing need careful help during meals and should sit upright while they eat. Residents who stay in bed for long periods also face a higher risk. Older adults do not always run a fever, so staff need to watch for other signs like coughing, chest pain, and sudden confusion.
Norovirus
Norovirus is a stomach virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It is very contagious, and only a tiny amount can make a person sick. Norovirus spreads through unwashed hands, food, and surfaces. It can live on countertops and bed rails for days. Hand sanitizer does not work well against it, so washing with soap and water is key.
For older adults, the biggest danger is dehydration. A resident who cannot keep fluids down can become weak, dizzy, and confused. This can lead to falls, kidney problems, or a hospital stay. During an outbreak, nursing homes should clean with bleach-based products and give residents extra fluids.
MRSA
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a type of staph bacteria that many common antibiotics cannot kill. MRSA often enters the body through open wounds, bedsores, feeding tubes, and catheters. It spreads through skin contact and shared items like towels and medical equipment.
A MRSA infection may start as a red, swollen, or painful spot on the skin. Without treatment, it can spread to the blood, lungs, or bones. At that point, the infection can become life-threatening. Residents with untreated bedsores face a higher risk. Proper wound care and clean equipment are some of the best ways to stop MRSA.
What Can Nursing Homes Do to Prevent Infections?
Nursing homes can prevent many infections by following basic safety steps every day. Federal rules require facilities to run an infection prevention and control program. Illinois also licenses and inspects nursing homes to check that they meet care standards. Good prevention steps include:
- Washing hands before and after helping each resident
- Cleaning shared surfaces, equipment, and bathrooms often
- Offering flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19 vaccines
- Keeping sick staff members home from work
- Separating residents who have contagious illnesses
- Treating bedsores and caring for wounds properly
- Training staff to spot early signs of infection
Not every infection can be prevented. Still, many outbreaks happen when staff cut corners on sanitation procedures. Short staffing is a common problem. When there are too few workers, they may skip handwashing, rush through wound care, or miss early symptoms.
Can an Injury Claim Cover Damages Caused by a Nursing Home Infection?
An injury claim can cover damages caused by a nursing home infection when the facility’s neglect played a role. Under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, the owner and licensee of a facility are responsible when an employee’s careless act or failure to act injures a resident (210 ILCS 45/3-601). This means the nursing home itself can be held responsible, not just one worker.
Merely getting sick in a nursing home does not prove neglect on its own. A claim needs to show that the facility failed to provide proper care. Medical records, staffing logs, state inspection reports, and outbreak records can help show what went wrong. For example, records may reveal that a bedsore went untreated for weeks before a MRSA infection set in.
Damages you can be paid for in a nursing home infection claim could include medical bills, hospital stays, and the cost of moving to a safer facility. A claim can also seek payment for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. In Illinois, injured people generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long can put the claim at risk.
Can You File a Wrongful Death Claim if a Nursing Home Resident Dies of Infection in 2026?
A family can file a wrongful death claim if a nursing home resident dies from an infection caused by neglect. Illinois law allows this type of claim when a death results from another party’s negligent act or carelessness. The personal representative of the resident’s estate brings the claim. Any money recovered goes to the surviving spouse and next of kin.
Wrongful death damages that you can be paid for include grief, sorrow, and the loss of a loved one’s companionship. Families may also be able to recover medical and funeral costs through related claims. A separate claim under the Survival Act can seek payment for damages the resident could have claimed if he or she had lived, such as pain and suffering before death.
In most cases, a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death. Some cases have different deadlines, so families should not wait to act. The death certificate, medical records, and an autopsy report can help show how the infection started and why it was not treated in time.
Contact Our Peoria County, IL Nursing Home Infection Attorneys
A nursing home infection can take away a loved one’s health, comfort, and sometimes their life. At Nursing Home Injury Center, we review care records, staffing levels, and inspection history to find out whether neglect played a role. Our firm works to hold facilities accountable and pursue fair compensation for your family. Call 309-524-6900 or contact our Peoria, IL nursing home neglect lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
