There often comes a time in Illinois residents’ lives when they have to decide how best to care for their elderly loved ones. This may mean that they will have to decide if they want to move in with their loved one, have their loved one move in with them, or have the elderly loved one placed in a nursing home. Many opt for the latter choice, believing that full-time staff who are fully trained will be better prepared to care for their loved one. Though this is often the case, in far too many instances it is not.
Just look at one recent instance in Illinois. An elderly individual was placed in a nursing home with doctor’s orders that she be turned every two hours to avoid bedsores. However, the nursing home never documented that they turned the individual, and she was taken to the hospital with dehydration and several serious pressure sores. The elderly individual died a mere nine days later.
A lawsuit has now been filed against the nursing home. The administrator of the deceased woman’s estate claims that the nursing home failed to provide the reasonable standard of care, which ultimately led to the woman’s death. If the lawsuit succeeds, then compensation may be awarded to help cover medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Those who have suffered a personal injury, or lost a loved one, because of nursing home neglect may have a lot to deal with. They may face emotional trauma and financial difficulties. However, by filing a lawsuit similar to the one in this instance, a victim or his or her family may be able to find relief and peace of mind knowing that the wrongdoers were held accountable.
Source: Joliet Patch, “Nursing Home Negligence Led to Woman’s Death: Lawsuit,” Scott Viau, Oct. 9, 2015
