If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse, Here's What To Do.

Today, Chicago injury lawyer Scott D. DeSalvo explains the things you MUST do if you or a loved one has been abused or injured in a nursing home. Doing these things will protect your loved one from further abuse if you suspect nursing home abuse and protect your ability to maintain a nursing home abuse case.

Nobody wants to think about their loved one being abused in their nursing home. However, for many people, they have to think about it because they suspect that their loved one is experiencing it in their nursing home.

Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious violation of rights, which is legally punishable. 

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act protects the rights of nursing home residents in Illinois from exploitation, abuse and neglect.

This Act makes nursing home abuse illegal in Illinois and provides legal pathways for residents and their families to fight for justice. If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, here is what you should do.

Talk to your loved one. This approach is by far the most direct way to find out if nursing home abuse is occurring. If you notice physical, emotional, or mental abnormalities in the resident, then ask them about their care.

They may not offer up any incriminating information, but hopefully, you can get enough clues to know whether something bigger is going on.

Have a presence. Nursing homes are far less likely to abuse or neglect residents who have frequent visitors.

Having a consistent and meaningful presence in the nursing home will both deter abuse and provide you with greater insight into the goings on of the nursing home, its residents and staff. Reporting the abuse is a very important step if you suspect nursing home abuse.

File a formal report to the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Nursing Home Hotline at 800-252-4343. You can file a complaint at the phone number and the State of Illinois will initiate a formal investigation.

This investigation report will be very important to you if you do decide to pursue a case against the abusive nursing home.

Remove your loved one from the nursing home. The most important thing to do when you suspect nursing home abuse is to make sure your loved one is in an environment where they are safe and treated with dignity, care and respect.

Removing your loved one from the offending institution is the most important thing you can do for them. If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, then you need the help of an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer on your side.