Livingston County Nursing Home Injury Attorneys
How to Report Nursing Home Neglect?
Livingston County, Illinois is home to many nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Unfortunately, patients in these facilities may suffer harm due to negligence, including abuse or neglect. Nursing home injuries are a serious problem that can have long-term effects on the health and well-being of elderly residents. Families who have been affected by nursing home negligence may be concerned about how they can protect their loved ones from harm, and they may need to take steps to address neglect or abuse and prevent these issues from affecting others.
If your loved one has been injured while living in a nursing home, you may be uncertain about where to turn for help. At Nursing Home Injury Center, we understand the severe physical, emotional, and financial harm that nursing home abuse and neglect can cause to you and your family. We work to ensure that families can address these issues correctly, and we will provide you with guidance on the resources you can utilize and the assistance that may be available. We will advise you on the best options for taking action against a negligent facility and ensuring that your loved one will receive the care they need and deserve.
Common Forms of Nursing Home Neglect in Livingston County
Neglect is one of the most common causes of nursing home injuries. It can occur when staff members do not properly monitor patients and fail to address their needs. Nursing home neglect can lead to multiple types of serious injuries, including malnutrition, dehydration, choking, or falls. Some types of neglect that can put nursing home residents at risk of suffering harm include:
- Lack of medical care – If staff members do not administer medications to nursing home patients, monitor their vital signs, or provide necessary medical treatments, this can result in serious harm. In these cases, a patient’s existing health conditions may become worse, or they may experience preventable illnesses or health conditions such as infections or bedsores.
- Insufficient staffing – One significant factor that often contributes to nursing home neglect is understaffing. When facilities do not have enough employees working, the level of care provided to patients may be inadequate, and a person may be more likely to experience preventable harm such as falls or untreated medical conditions.
- Insufficient training – In addition to understaffing, inadequate training of nursing home staff members is another significant factor that can contribute to the neglect of residents. This can lead to staff members not understanding how to properly care for patients, administer medications correctly, or recognize and respond to signs of distress. Proper training is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of nursing home patients, and facilities that fail to provide adequate training for their staff put their residents at risk.
- Hygiene concerns – It is essential for nursing homes to maintain high standards of hygiene to prevent the spread of infections and ensure the safety and well-being of their residents. Poor hygiene or sanitation in nursing homes can lead to serious infections, such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or gastrointestinal infections. These issues can cause additional complications or even fatalities for vulnerable patients. Neglecting to maintain a clean and healthy living environment, including failure to bathe patients or clean their living spaces, can lead to the spread of diseases and contribute to the deterioration of residents’ physical and mental health.
Addressing Injuries Caused by Nursing Home Abuse
Abuse can be a serious issue in nursing homes, and it is important to address any suspected cases of abuse promptly. Abuse can take many forms, such as physical harm, sexual assault or exploitation, emotional or psychological harm, or financial exploitation. Staff members may also use unreasonable forms of restraint, including physically restraining patients in beds or chairs or using medications as a form of chemical restraint. If you suspect that your loved one has experienced any form of abuse while living in a nursing home, it is essential to act quickly to protect them.
Contact Our Livingston County Nursing Home Injury Lawyers
If you believe that your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse in Livingston County, there are several options available to you. At Nursing Home Injury Center, we can provide the help you need in these situations, and we will fight to protect your loved one’s best interests. To learn more about how we can assist you as you respond to nursing home injuries, set up a free consultation by contacting us at 309-524-6900.