If your loved one was harmed by neglect in a nursing home, you may be wondering what kind of compensation your family could receive. But while that question is natural and important, it does not have a simple answer. There is no real “average” value for a nursing home neglect settlement because the value of each case depends on many different factors: the severity of the injuries, whether the victim survives, the strength of the evidence, and even the insurance policies held by the facility.
Still, understanding what affects the value of these claims can help you decide whether to take legal action. At Nursing Home Injury Center, our Peoria, IL nursing home neglect attorneys work closely with families to investigate what happened, determine how the law applies, and build a strong case for full compensation. We offer free consultations and handle these cases with the resources and diligence of a larger firm, with personal attention every step of the way.
Here is what you need to know about settlement value, contributing factors, and how an experienced legal team can make a difference.
There Is No True “Average” Settlement Value, But Some Are Substantial
In Illinois and across the U.S., nursing home neglect settlements can range from tens of thousands to multiple millions of dollars. Some resolve quietly for modest amounts when the injuries are less severe. Others, especially those involving wrongful death or permanent disability, may result in large confidential settlements.
If a nursing home fails to provide basic care, such as not responding to emergency call lights, feeding residents properly, or keeping the premises free from fall hazards, and that failure causes serious harm, the facility may be held liable under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act or through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
When we evaluate the value of a potential case, we consider not only medical costs and pain and suffering, but also the systemic failures that allowed the neglect to occur. Was the facility understaffed? Were there complaints or prior violations? Did administrators ignore known risks? These details can significantly raise the potential value of a settlement.
What Contributes to a High-Value Settlement?
Cases involving severe injury or death, combined with strong evidence of neglect or understaffing, tend to result in higher settlements. While the outcome of any given case cannot be guaranteed, here are some of the key factors that often increase a case’s value.
The Extent of the Injuries
Severe bedsores, untreated infections, amputations, broken hips, dehydration, or death typically result in higher settlement figures than minor bruising or emotional distress alone.
Whether the Neglect was Ongoing
A single incident may support a claim, but prolonged or repeated neglect, such as a resident who was allowed to fall multiple times or whose wounds went untreated for weeks, may show a pattern of indifference.
Evidence of Regulatory Violations
If a facility has been cited by the Illinois Department of Public Health or CMS for violations of resident care regulations, that may help prove liability and raise the case value.
Emotional Harm to the Resident and Family
Courts and insurance companies often consider not just physical injuries but also humiliation, suffering, and the violation of trust that occurs when a vulnerable elder is mistreated.
Wrongful Death
When neglect contributes directly to a resident’s death, Illinois law allows surviving family members to recover for the loss of companionship, grief, and funeral costs in addition to the resident’s pain and suffering.
Common Types of Nursing Home Neglect That Lead to Lawsuits
In Peoria County and across Illinois, nursing home neglect takes many forms. The most common scenarios that result in significant injury and higher settlements include:
- Falls caused by lack of supervision or unsafe conditions
- Major bedsores due to failure to reposition residents
- Malnutrition and dehydration from poor monitoring
- Medication errors or failure to administer necessary drugs
- Wandering or elopement from the facility
- Infections that go untreated, leading to sepsis
- Failure to respond to changes in a resident’s condition
Neglect is often the result of chronic understaffing, lack of training, or poor oversight by administrators. It is common for staff to be overwhelmed, inexperienced, or improperly supervised. This is why legal action can serve not only to obtain compensation but also to pressure facilities into improving care standards.
The Role of Insurance in Determining Settlement Amounts
Most nursing home settlements are paid by insurance companies that represent the facility. These insurers evaluate risk, likelihood of success at trial, and potential verdict amounts when deciding how much to offer in a settlement.
In cases where the facility carries minimal insurance or where the insurer fights aggressively, a trial may be necessary to get fair compensation. At Nursing Home Injury Center, our attorneys prepare every case for trial from the outset, even though most cases ultimately settle. This posture often results in better settlement offers and faster resolution.
When Families Should Contact a Nursing Home Injury Lawyer
Many families do not realize right away that neglect has occurred. They are told their loved one “just fell” or “developed a pressure sore” due to underlying medical issues. But neglect is often subtle and facilities sometimes downplay their role. We frequently receive calls from family members who begin to notice signs like sudden weight loss, poor hygiene or unchanged diapers, bedsores they were never told about, or infections that keep coming back. In the worst cases, families come to us worried about strange bruises, cuts, or other injuries.
Even if you are unsure whether neglect occurred, it is wise to speak with an attorney. Nursing home neglect cases often require medical records, staffing schedules, and facility reports that only a lawyer can obtain quickly through legal discovery.
What a Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer Does
Your attorney’s role is not just to file paperwork. A good lawyer:
- Investigates the incident thoroughly using medical and regulatory records
- Works with medical experts to show causation
- Calculates long-term costs and suffering
- Negotiates aggressively with insurance carriers
- Prepares for trial if necessary
In addition, lawyers familiar with nursing home litigation often uncover signs of broader problems, such as other residents who were harmed, patterns of short staffing, or falsified records, that can support punitive damages or lead to higher settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Settlement Value
Can I find out what similar cases settled for?
Nursing home settlements are often confidential, especially those with large payouts. Some verdicts are public, but each case depends on the facts. Your attorney can estimate value based on experience, injuries, and prior case results.
Does the resident’s age affect the settlement?
Sometimes. Juries may award more for younger residents with longer life expectancies, but courts also recognize the dignity and suffering of elders. Age does not automatically reduce claim value.
How long does it take to settle a case?
Some cases resolve within a few months, but complex or high-value cases may take a year or more. Discovery, depositions, and negotiations can be time-consuming, but a well-prepared case often settles before trial.
Will I have to testify in court?
Most cases settle without trial. If a trial is necessary, your attorney will prepare you and discuss the process in advance. Family members may testify about changes in the resident’s condition, but not every case requires it.
Contact a Peoria, IL Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Today
If your loved one was injured in a nursing home and you suspect neglect, you do not need to wait for proof to ask questions. A Peoria County, IL nursing home abuse lawyer at Nursing Home Injury Center can hear your concerns, obtain the necessary records, and explain your legal options. Call 309-524-6900 for a free consultation today.
