When you place a loved one in an Illinois nursing home, you probably assume that he or she will receive quality care. After all, you did extensive research to find a facility that would meet the needs of your family member at a price your family could afford. It can be devastating to learn that this was not actually the case, and your loved one suffered harm.
At this point, you may feel overwhelmed and confused about what you should do next. Fortunately, there are legal options available to your family. It may be possible to hold liable parties accountable through a civil claim, but first, you need to know if you actually have a case. It is not always easy to prove nursing home negligence, but this is not something you have to undertake alone.
Proving your loved one suffered as a result of negligence
Nursing home abuse is not always the result of intentionally and directly causing physical harm. In many cases, people in nursing homes suffer harm because of negligence and lack of proper care. For example, a nursing home resident may suffer from dehydration or malnutrition because a nursing facility may not be feeding him or her or ensuring your loved one is eating.
An investigation into your case can determine the most appropriate way to move forward with your situation. If there is evidence that the cause of your loved one’s suffering is negligence care or supervision, you have grounds to move forward with a claim. You will need to have evidence of at least one of the following:
- Negligent maintenance of the facility
- Negligent hiring practices, resulting in untrained employees
- Negligent maintenance of equipment in the nursing home
- Negligent care of the patient
- Negligent supervision of the residents
Many victims of nursing home abuse are reluctant to speak out. They may be ashamed of what they experienced, or they may actually be unaware of what happened to them. If you notice that something is wrong, you have the right to speak out on behalf of your loved one and take action.
It may help to start with a complete evaluation of your case. An attorney can help your family understand the legal options available and help you move forward with an appropriate course of action. Your family can seek compensation on behalf of your loved one and take steps to ensure that he or she gets the right kind of care.
