Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Malpractice & Violations

Rehabilitation centers are designed to support patients as they recover from injuries, procedures, and other ailments. To provide the best patient care, these medical clinics must prioritize safety, quality services, and adherence to healthcare standards.

Violations of healthcare standards and staff deficiencies can lead to medical negligence or malpractice. These issues put patients in danger, potentially causing them harm via injuries, illnesses, worsening conditions, or death.

If you suffer harm due to medical negligence at a facility like Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, your best opportunity may be a lawsuit against the clinic, staff, or the parent company. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you file a claim to recover compensation for legal damages if you have suffered harm at this Chicago rehabilitation center.

About Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Overview

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, is a rehabilitation center and research hospital in Chicago, IL. Its flagship location has 262 beds and specializes in inpatient, outpatient, and pediatric care.

The staff and facilities are known for exceptional rehabilitative services, especially for those who have suffered a stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, nervous system disorder, or hip or knee injury.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is at 355 East Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60611. The 1.2-million-square-foot practice combines physical medicine and research in the same space, where scientists, innovators, and technologists work alongside healthcare professionals to pursue better patient outcomes.

The main facility was carefully designed by EGG office. EGG office partnered with Clive Wilkinson Architects to design a 1.2 million square foot space for the brightest minds and new approaches to medicine.

Clive Wilkinson Architects worked with scientists and the brightest minds to create new approaches to recovery, such as anti-gravity lift tracks to help those in recovery learn to walk again. Adults and children enjoy a gorgeous view through large windows while they have the best opportunity to recover.

Those facing long rehabilitation from complex conditions, such as a spinal cord injury or cancer, often find the translational approach incorporating industry-leading research and physical medicine reassuring.

The translational approach means patients can enjoy more effective treatments. Technologists work with each other, surrounding patients, and professionals in the building to use the latest research on a cellular level to treat complex conditions.

Ownership and Affiliations

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, has no parent company. It owns or allies with an extensive network of 30 care sites throughout the Midwest, which includes other inpatient, outpatient, and rehabilitation centers. These centers utilize physical medicine and research and may occupy the same space as universities or hospitals.

Reputation and Performance

This new research hospital and rehabilitation clinic has a stellar reputation in Illinois and the United States.

According to US News, it is nationally ranked as the top rehabilitation institute nationwide. Scientists and clinicians at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab treat a very high volume of spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, cancer, and stroke patients, ranking among the most effective rehabilitation hospitals in the US [1].

It has a reputation for combining the latest research in physical medicine with top-notch facilities, including features like a pediatric lab, a walking lab, and an endurance lab. Ability Labs provides various services. Each one focuses on a different function, such as walking or talking, making this the ideal hospital for those in need of services to recover from a stroke.

Notable Legal Actions Against Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Although Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has a strong record of rehabilitating adults and children in Chicago, IL, the research hospital has faced legal troubles in the past from dissatisfied patients. Here are several lawsuits that have included Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as a defendant.

Insurance Dispute Causes Patient to Sue for Breach of Contract

One patient was receiving inpatient treatment at Banner University Medical Center and underwent an emergent laminectomy and fusion of the spine. After some inpatient treatment following the procedure, United Healthcare denied her request for additional inpatient treatment there, eventually turning to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for further care.

The patient filed a lawsuit alleging that the rehabilitation center did not inform them of the differences between what UHC would cover and how much was owed using a self-pay option. The plaintiff claimed that Shirley Ryan AbilityLab did not submit charges to UHC promptly, resulting in a denial of benefits [2].

Patient’s Estate Sues Multiple Facilities for Failing to Prevent Pressure Ulcers

In this case, the estate of Edward Davis sued multiple medical facilities that spent time treating the patient, including Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. The estate administrator alleged that these clinics failed to prevent and treat pressure ulcers. Eventually, these ulcers led to the deterioration of Davis’s overall health. The lawsuit for medical malpractice is for over $50,000 [3].

Inspection and Deficiency Reports at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Despite a high ranking among the country’s top rehabilitation centers, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is not immune to deficiencies. Inspections in recent years have revealed numerous shortcomings, such as the facility not meeting state or national averages for expected care. Some deficiencies have put patients in danger at this rehabilitation and recovery hospital.

• 2.2% of ulcer patients developed new or worsened pressure ulcers compared to 1.1% nationally.
• The rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections, 2.224, is higher than the national average of 1.076.
• The rate of potentially preventable hospital readmissions during the rehabilitation facility stay was 5.82%, compared to 4.75% nationally.
• There was a slightly lower rate of successful returns to the home or community, 64.68%, compared to 66.95% nationally [4].

Understanding Medical Negligence and Your Rights

Medical negligence at a clinic like Shirley Ryan AbilityLab can be hazardous for patients. When healthcare professionals do not uphold the expected standard of care, patients could suffer from injuries, new conditions, worsening symptoms, or death.

Medical malpractice can manifest in numerous ways. Surgical errors, poor patient-lifting protocols, medication mistakes, failure to diagnose, and improper care can all harm the patient. Doctors may give patients the wrong physical medicine. The translational approach means patients may not understand their treatment plan, leaving them vulnerable to medical malpractice.

If you or a loved one have suffered due to negligence or malpractice at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, you may be eligible for compensation for legal damages. You can claim a settlement for lost income, medical bills, emotional distress, physical pain, or even loss of quality of life. However, you need an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to increase your chances of winning.

Secure Expert Legal Representation!

The team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is ready to assist with your lawsuit against Shirley Ryan AbilityLab or its staff members. If you have suffered from negligence or believe a loved one has, it is essential to take action quickly. If you wait too long to pursue legal action, you could run into the statute of limitations in Illinois or struggle to gather compelling evidence.

Our team has experience with many clients who have faced legal damages from medical negligence. We know what it takes to investigate your claim, assess all damages, negotiate for fair compensation, gather strong evidence, and represent you in court if necessary.

We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront legal fees. Instead, your attorney only receives payment from the settlement if they win your case.

Call us today at 888-424-5757 or complete the online form to request your free case review with a skilled medical malpractice lawyer in Chicago.

Resources: [1] US News – Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, [2] LawStreetMedia – Patient Sues Over Billing Dispute, [3] Cook County Record – Hospitals Failed to Prevent Pressure Ulcers, [4] CMS – Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.