Rockford, IL Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

When it comes time for your loved one to enter into a nursing home, the process of choosing the right facility can seem daunting. Once you finally make a decision, you expect the facility to care for your loved one as you would and ensure they have access to the proper medical care, diet, necessities, and more to live as high-quality a life as possible. If that doesn’t happen and you believe negligence played a role, it’s time to get in touch with a Rockford, IL nursing home abuse lawyer from Thomas Law Offices.

At Thomas Law Offices, our attorneys are dedicated to helping injured nursing home residents and their families when they need dedicated, strong legal representation. We understand the challenges of pursuing a nursing home claim, and we’ll be your side throughout the entire process.

Nursing Home Facilities in Rockford, Illinois

Nursing homes across the country that receive Medicare and Medicaid payments are subject to reviews and inspections. Medicare provides inspection information to the general public via its Care Compare Tool. Facilities are ranked using a five-star system, with one-star facilities having the poorest ratings. Ratings are based on a nursing home’s performance in health inspections, staffing, and quality of resident care. In Rockford, you’ll find the following facilities:

• 1 Star Facilities
  • Rock River Health Care
  • Forest City Rehab & Nursing Center
• 2 Star Facilities
  • PA Peterson at the Citadel
  • Carriage Rehab & Healthcare
• 3 Star Facilities
  • Ascension Saint Anne Place
  • River Bluff Nursing Home
  • Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center
  • Alden Debes Rehab
• 4 Star Facilities
  • Amberwood Care Centre
  • Alden Park Strathmoor
• 5 Star Facilities
  • Willows Health Center
  • Alpine Fireside Health Center

While it may seem more likely that instances of abuse or neglect would take place at lower-rated facilities, negligence can occur anywhere—regardless of rating. If you believe your loved one was harmed and the situation could have been avoided, you can take legal action. It’s not always easy, however, to prove abuse or neglect in a long-term care facility. To get a better idea of what to look for, let’s take a look at common signs of abuse.

Recognizing Signs of Abuse in Long-Term Care Facilities

Nursing home abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. The signs of abuse vary depending on the type, but the more you see your loved one, the more likely it will be that you’ll be able to identify when something is going on.

Be on the lookout for unexplained injuries, behavioral changes, poor hygiene, torn or stained clothing, and missing personal property. While those are not the only signs of potential abuse, they are often the most prominent.

If you notice something is off with your loved one’s care, consult with them first. Depending on their health status, they may or may not be able to talk about what’s going on. Either way, you can file a complaint with the facility and the state to ensure proper action is taken.

When you file a complaint with the state, they will investigate the alleged incident to determine what is happening and why. The more information you can provide when you file your report, the better. Depending on the investigatory findings, the facility could be penalized or fined, and it might be necessary to find your loved one a new care facility.

In the event your loved one incurred serious injuries and losses, a Rockford attorney can help you seek recovery.

Nursing Home Rights in Rockford Facilities

In all elder care facilities, residents are entitled to certain rights that must be upheld by the facilities and staff. The rights are protected under Federal and state law. Nursing homes are responsible for informing residents of their rights both in writing and in a way they will understand.

At a minimum, residents are entitled to respect, money management abilities, and medical care. Residents should be free from abuse, neglect, restraints, and discrimination. They should also be able to participate in activities, spend time with visitors, get social services, and have the ability to leave the nursing home under the proper circumstances.

When a right is disregarded by nursing home staff, the resident has the right to file a report. That report should be reviewed, and appropriate actions should be taken. If that does not happen, that’s where an attorney can help.

Get Help From Thomas Law Offices

At Thomas Law Offices, our attorneys understand how devastating it can be to learn your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in their care home. To ensure their safety and hold the facility accountable, we recommend working with a Rockford nursing home abuse lawyer.

When you get in touch with an attorney from our law firm, we’ll explain your loved one’s rights, investigate the alleged abuse or neglect, and build a case against the facility or negligent employee to ensure your family member receives the compensation they need to recover from injuries and find a more suitable nursing home.

The sooner you get in touch with our law firm, the better your chances will be of achieving a successful settlement. To learn more, contact us today.