Kankakee Nursing Home Physical Abuse Attorneys
Did your loved one suffer injuries from physical abuse in a nursing home? Do you want to find out if you’re entitled to compensation from an insurance claim or lawsuit? If so, contact Spiros Law, P.C. right now, so we can review your case and determine the legal options available for holding the at-fault party liable.
Nursing home residents are more vulnerable to physical abuse because they lack the ability to care for themselves. Many need assistance with daily tasks and have physical or mental impairments preventing them from defending against abusive actions. Some have cognitive illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s, and can’t remember what happened, resulting in the abuse going unreported.
At Spiros Law, P.C., our team of experienced Kankakee nursing home physical abuse lawyers knows the challenges you face while pursuing compensation from the nursing home. It is your responsibility to advocate for your loved ones and help them heal from their injuries. You can depend on us to fight by your side for the justice you and your family rightfully deserve. For a free consultation to find out more about our services, call the nursing home abuse lawyers at (815) 929-9292 today.
Physical Abuse At Nursing Homes In Kankakee
The Illinois Department of Human Services defines elder abuse as the mistreatment of an individual at least 60 years old living in a community setting. Physical abuse in a nursing home involves using intentional and physical force against a resident to cause trauma or bodily injury.
Physically abusive acts can include:
- Grabbing
- Shoving
- Slapping
- Punching
- Pushing
- Kicking
- Restraining
Many types of employees could be subjecting nursing home patients to abuse. Parties commonly guilty of physical abuse are:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Nurse’s assistants
- Other residents
- Administrative staff
- Maintenance workers
- Contractors
One of the main issues with physical abuse in nursing homes and why it’s so prevalent is that older adults typically can’t defend themselves. Many have physical or mental impairments preventing them from speaking up about what happened or even remembering the misconduct ever occurred. Some don’t have the emotional support of family or friends and fear that no one will believe them if they report the abuse. They also may fear that if they report the abuse, their abuser will retaliate. That’s why it’s critical that you pay attention to your loved one and be their advocate at the first sign of abuse.
Common Warning Signs of Physical Abuse
Physical abuse can be easy to spot if you know what you’re looking for. You might not notice the subtle emotional or psychological symptoms that can occur, but it shouldn’t be difficult to see the physical signs.
Common warning signs of physical abuse include:
- Cuts or bruises
- Unusual change in behavior or mood
- Unexplained injuries your loved one won’t talk about
- Dislocated joints
- Broken bones
- Tooth loss
- Treatment necessary for recurring injuries
- Diagnosis of depression or anxiety
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Fear of a particular employee
- Sudden weight loss
- Bloody or torn clothing
The Kankakee nursing home physical abuse attorneys of Spiros Law, P.C. understand how traumatic this experience has been, not only for you but for your family member. You want to help them but don’t know how to go about it.
When you hire us, we can take on the responsibility of your case and work towards a favorable outcome. Our goal is to hold the nursing home accountable for the suffering they caused and recover the maximum available compensation to cover the medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and other costs resulting from the physical abuse.
Possible Compensation You Can Receive
More than one party could be held liable for the injuries your loved one sustained. Just because one person physically abused them doesn’t mean they’re the only one responsible for the misconduct. The nursing facility could be just as much to blame if they didn’t perform an adequate background check on a prospective employee. Sometimes, management will hire nurses without confirming their credentials because of a staff shortage. This often puts inexperienced or dangerous employees in charge of caring for vulnerable patients, leading to physical abuse and severe injuries.
Your loved one likely suffered multiple losses and deserves full and fair compensation. They should not be forced to pay for anything themselves. The most common losses available in cases like this are:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Out of pocket expenses
- Disfigurement or disability
You could file an insurance claim or lawsuit to pursue the total losses resulting from physical abuse. You must follow the statute of limitations in Illinois if you decide to sue the at-fault party. This is a timeframe giving you two years from the abuse date to file the lawsuit, or you could lose your right to seek monetary compensation through the courts.
What If My Loved One Died From Physical Abuse In A Nursing Home?
If physical abuse caused your relative’s death, you might be entitled to compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit. Only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate may pursue compensation on behalf of a surviving spouse and/or next of kin. Typically, the representative is a close family member, such as:
- Spouse
- Child
- Parent
If your loved one doesn’t have an estate plan or didn’t name a personal representative, the court may appoint one.
You can seek a financial award that compensates for the losses you and the estate suffered due to your loved one’s death. Examples include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Sorrow, grief, and emotional suffering
- Loss of companionship or care
The statute of limitations in Illinois for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years. That means the timeframe for bringing legal action against the at-fault party will end two years after the date of your loved one’s death.
Contact Us
The Kankakee nursing home physical abuse attorneys of Spiros Law, P.C. have been fighting on behalf of our clients since 2005. We represent individuals wronged by the misconduct of others. You and your family have suffered enough and deserve to seek justice against the nursing home, doctor, or another party that caused your loved one’s injuries.
Call Spiros Law, P.C. for your free consultation at (815) 929-9292 if you discover your relative was the victim of physical abuse. We’re ready to advocate for their rights and help them get on the road to recovery.
