Springfield Nursing Home Injury Lawyer
Our Springfield, IL Nursing Home Injury Lawyer Protects Your Vulnerable Loved One
Few personal injury cases are as sad as nursing home abuse and neglect cases. We entrust a memory care facility, assisted living community, or nursing home with the care and treatment of our vulnerable loved ones. When the caregivers and the facility fail in this duty, the victim often suffers worse than a hale and healthy person would. Nursing home injuries can be direct, such as a fall or physical abuse, or develop due to neglect, such as bedsores or contracting a disease like MRSA. Our Springfield, IL nursing home injury lawyer helps you protect your senior and demands full compensation to cover their losses and help you move them to a better caregiving facility.
If your loved one suffered abuse, neglect, or elder fraud while a resident in an area long-term care facility, we can help you. The attorneys at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols take your case seriously, and we work diligently to help you protect your loved one. Call us today for a free consultation.
Our Dedicated Personal Injury Attorneys Handle Many Types Of Nursing Home Abuse Cases
Nursing home injuries and abuse can happen in several ways:
- The facility is understaffed, and residents don’t receive enough attention or help when they need it. Bedbound patients may not be repositioned regularly to prevent bedsores, or residents who cannot get up or walk without assistance may try to move on their own and suffer a painful, injurious fall.
- Residents suffer neglect due to the staff’s lack of proper training. This can include not realizing that their food could be a choking hazard or failing to change residents with incontinence issues, which can cause injury.
- Some nursing home workers may be deliberately physically abusive residents. You may have seen tragic videos online of staff physically, sexually, and emotionally abusing residents who are too old or ill to defend themselves.
Our firm holds all negligent and malicious parties accountable for the harm they cause. This includes the employees who neglected or abused your senior, the management, and the facility owners. We believe that nursing home abuse is shameful, and anyone who has a role in it should be held fully accountable for the injuries they cause.
Seeking Damages In A Nursing Home Injury Case
Victims in a nursing home abuse claim have the right to full compensation for all material damages they suffered. This includes covering medical care to heal from their injuries and enough to cover the cost of moving your loved one to a home where they will be safe and well-cared for. We also seek compensation for all other out-of-pocket expenses your loved one suffered, including, in cases of fraud or theft, replenishment of the value of the money and items stolen.
In some cases, our firm may seek punitive or exemplary damages to make an example of the facility and staff and serve as a warning to other long-term care facilities tempted to engage in abuse or neglect. We discuss that in your personal case review with our Springfield nursing home injury lawyer.
Don’t wait. If your loved one is being abused in their long-term care facility, call Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols for a free legal consultation.
Compensation For Victims Of Nursing Home Abuse
Safe environments with proper medical care and respect are a right that all nursing home residents are entitled to. Unfortunately, some facilities fail to provide an acceptable standard of care, resulting in neglect, mistreatment, or outright abuse. When a loved one suffers harm in a nursing home, families often feel anger, frustration, and uncertainty about their legal options. Compensation may be available to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by negligence or misconduct. A Springfield, IL nursing home injury lawyer can help assess the situation and determine the best course of action for seeking financial recovery.
Legal Basis For Filing A Claim
State and federal laws set clear standards for nursing home care, requiring facilities to provide proper medical treatment, hygiene, and supervision. When a facility violates these standards, legal action may be an option. Claims often arise from negligence, which occurs when a facility fails to meet its duty of care, resulting in harm to a resident. Common examples include inadequate staffing, medication errors, unsanitary conditions, and failure to prevent falls. In some cases, claims are based on intentional misconduct, such as physical or emotional abuse by staff members. If a resident dies due to neglect or mistreatment, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim.
Recoverable Damages For Victims
Depending on the extent of their suffering and financial losses, victims of nursing home abuse may seek compensation for a variety of damages. Medical costs related to treating injuries, infections, or conditions caused by neglect are often included in claims. Additionally, pain and suffering—both physical and emotional—may be factored into compensation. If financial exploitation has occurred, restitution for lost assets may be pursued. Some cases also include damages for reduced quality of life, particularly if the abuse leads to long-term health problems. A Springfield nursing home injury lawyer can evaluate the full scope of damages and fight for fair compensation.
Common Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse
Recognizing signs of abuse is critical for protecting residents from further harm. Some indications of neglect or mistreatment include:
- Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or fractures
- Sudden weight loss or malnutrition
- Poor hygiene, dirty clothing, or unsanitary living conditions
- Emotional withdrawal, depression, or anxiety
- Unusual financial transactions or missing personal belongings
- Bedsores, infections, or untreated medical conditions
When family members suspect abuse, they should document concerns and report them to facility administrators or the appropriate state agency. Taking swift action with help from our nursing home abuse attorney can prevent further harm and help build a strong legal case.
Pursuing Legal Action Against Negligent Facilities
Holding a negligent nursing home accountable requires gathering evidence, filing legal documents, and meeting strict deadlines. Facilities and their insurance companies often attempt to deny claims, shift blame, or offer low settlements to minimize their liability. An elder neglect attorney familiar with these cases can challenge these tactics and advocate for victims’ rights. Some cases may be resolved through settlement negotiations, while others proceed to trial. Regardless of the approach, the goal is to obtain compensation and protect other residents from similar harm.
The Path Forward For Families Seeking Justice
A Springfield nursing home injury lawyer can provide guidance and legal support to families dealing with the effects of nursing home abuse. Compensation can help cover medical expenses and emotional distress while holding negligent facilities accountable for their actions. Legal action not only helps victims recover but also deters similar behavior from occurring in the future. Families should not hesitate to explore their legal options and seek justice for their loved ones with help from our nursing home negligence attorney. To learn more about how to proceed, Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols offers 24/7 live call answering and is available to discuss the next steps in holding responsible parties accountable. Contact our firm today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Common Causes Of Nursing Home Injury Falls
Falls in nursing homes pose a significant risk, frequently resulting in injuries that affect residents’ well-being. Many of these falls could be prevented with proper care and attention. Families trust nursing homes to provide a safe environment, but when falls occur due to negligence, legal action with help from our elder neglect lawyer may be necessary. A Springfield, IL nursing home injury lawyer can help determine liability when a loved one suffers harm in a facility.
Insufficient Staff Assistance
Many residents need help moving from beds, chairs, or wheelchairs. When staff members are unavailable or fail to assist properly, residents may attempt to move on their own, increasing the risk of falling. Facilities must provide adequate staffing to prevent these avoidable accidents.
Hazardous Walking Conditions
Wet floors, poor lighting, and loose rugs can create dangerous walking conditions for elderly residents. Facilities must maintain clean, dry, and well-lit hallways and living spaces to reduce fall risks.
Lack of Mobility Aids
Our Springfield nursing home injury lawyer shares that residents who require walkers, canes, or wheelchairs should have access to these mobility aids at all times. If these devices are out of reach or in poor condition, residents may struggle to move safely, leading to falls.
Medication Side Effects
Certain medications may lead to dizziness, drowsiness, or low blood pressure, increasing the risk of falls. Nursing homes must monitor residents for these side effects and take precautions to reduce accidents related to medication use.
Improper Bed Heights and Wheelchair Transfers
Beds that are too high or too low can make it difficult for residents to get in and out safely. Likewise, unsafe transfers between beds, chairs, and wheelchairs can lead to serious injuries. Staff should be properly trained to assist with transfers to prevent falls.
Failure to Monitor High-Risk Residents
Our senior injury attorney will share that some residents are at a higher risk of falling due to conditions like dementia, muscle weakness, or balance issues. These individuals require closer supervision, bed alarms, and scheduled assistance to reduce their risk of injury.
Cluttered or Poorly Designed Living Spaces
Nursing home rooms and common areas should be arranged with safety in mind. Obstacles like furniture, cords, and medical equipment in walkways create unnecessary fall hazards for residents.
Inadequate Handrails and Grab Bars
Handrails and grab bars provide stability, especially in bathrooms and hallways. When these safety features are missing, poorly maintained, or improperly installed, residents may struggle to balance and increase their risk of falling.
How To Protect Loved Ones From Nursing Home Falls
Families can help protect their loved ones by visiting regularly, inquiring about safety protocols, and discussing any concerns with facility staff. An elder abuse lawyer will recommend that if a fall does occur, it’s important to document what happened and seek legal guidance if negligence may be involved.
When a nursing home fails to protect residents from preventable falls, legal action may be the best option. A Springfield nursing home injury lawyer can help families hold facilities accountable for their actions. If your loved one has suffered a fall due to neglect, contact us to discuss your legal options. In 2024, our firm received the distinction of being selected for The Official Community’s Choice Awards Winner. Our friends at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols are available 24/7 and can provide the guidance needed to move forward with a claim.
