As people are living longer, the number of seniors in the United States will continue to increase in the coming years. When an elderly or disabled person reaches the point where they can no longer care for themselves, families will often need to make the hard decision about whether to place them in a nursing home or assisted living facility. While many of these facilities provide high-quality care to residents, negligence at nursing homes happens all too often. Nursing home patients can suffer serious injuries or wrongful death due to abuse or neglect.
Osvaldo Rodriguez, P.C. believes in fighting to protect the rights of those who have been injured by others' negligence, and we can help you determine your best legal options if your loved one and your family have suffered harm because of nursing home neglect or abuse. Osvaldo Rodriguez, P.C. has won millions of dollars for his clients, and he will work to make sure you are repaid for your family member's injury. He pledges to give you the respect & response you need throughout the course of your case.
Is Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Common?
Unfortunately, the actual statistics for elder abuse and nursing home injuries are not known, since many instances of negligence go unreported. However, studies show that around 6 million people suffer some form of elder abuse each year. Since there are more than 55 million people who are over the age of 60 in the United States, this means that around 11% of seniors experience abuse in some form on an annual basis.
Laws Protecting Illinois Nursing Home Patients
There are multiple federal laws that have been enacted to help address the problem of nursing home abuse and neglect. The Elder Justice Act created programs meant to provide protection for nursing home residents, including Adult Protective Services systems and the Elder Justice Coordinating Council. The Older Americans Act created several social services and programs for elders and their caregivers. The Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act created new resources to protect seniors from abuse and prosecute perpetrators of illegal acts that affect elders, including fraud and financial exploitation.
The state of Illinois has also enacted multiple laws meant to protect seniors from harm. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act defines a number of rights that apply to nursing home residents, including the right to be free from abuse and neglect, the right to manage their own finances, the right to refuse medical treatment, and the right to be free from unreasonable restraint. The Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities Act provides family members and legal guardians of nursing home residents with the right to use video or audio recording devices to monitor their loved one's room in a nursing home.
Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer -- Next Steps
Cases involving nursing home neglect & abuse can be complicated, since a nursing home may claim that injuries were the result of a patient's existing health issues rather than any form of negligence. Osvaldo Rodriguez, P.C. can investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury, review medical records & uncover other evidence relevant to the case, such as personnel records, eyewitness testimonies, security camera footage, opinions of medical experts. Osvaldo Rodriguez, P.C. will work to demonstrate that your family member suffered harm because a nursing home did not meet its duty of care. He will fight to make sure your family is fully compensated for your damages. In addition, all our cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, so you never have to pay upfront legal fees. Call today and schedule your free consultation.