Cases of nursing home negligence and abuse are unfortunately, on the rise. Negligence and abuse refers to any intentional or purposeful act on the part of a caregiver which results in injury or harm, physical or emotional, to a vulnerable resident. As the nursing home is held responsible for any act that constitutes negligence or abuse, a nursing home negligence attorney in Chicago can be engaged to ensure the abuser is made accountable for their actions.
The rise in abuse and neglect in nursing homes can be attributed to a number of different factors, one of which is the disproportionate number of seniors that are going into nursing homes; this in turn increases the need for staff. Unfortunately, many of these new staff members have received limited training and have little or no experience in dealing with the elderly. It takes a considerable amount of skill and patience to understand and meet the needs of seniors confined to a nursing home.
What actions can form the basis for a civil lawsuit?
There are many actions that are based on employee conduct or nursing home policy or practice that can lead to civil action. A few typical examples are:
? Failure to maintain a hygienic environment that is free from hazards: Staff and management have the responsibility to maintain the facility and ensure that there are no hazards that can jeopardize the health or safety of the elderly residents.
? Staff negligence: The management of the facility is responsible for the conduct of the staff. A nursing home negligence attorney in Chicago can sue if an employee abuses, neglects or willfully harms a resident.
? Failure to provide proper medical care: A nursing home is obliged to provide residents a standard of care in line with the circumstances. In the event any sub-standard medical care results in harm to the elderly resident it may constitute medical malpractice.
It can be quite difficult to prove liability, evidence is sometimes not available and it may be hard to determine precisely what went on. In cases of this nature you are well advised to hire a nursing home negligence attorney in Chicago.
If your elderly loved one shows evidence of abuse or neglect you should turn to a nursing home negligence attorney in Chicago for help and guidance. For a free evaluation of your case you are invited to contact the Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo, LLC. Follow us on google+.
