Chicago Nursing Home Life-Threatening Injury Attorneys

Representing Elderly Residents Suffering from Life-Threatening Injuries in Chicago Nursing Facilities

Chicago nursing home life-threatening injury attorneys provide the critical legal support families need when a loved one suffers a severe injury in a care facility.

These injuries—often the result of neglect, abuse, or medical errors—can have devastating consequences. When a nursing home fails in its duty to protect residents, holding the responsible parties accountable is essential.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we help families take action after life-threatening nursing home injuries. Our team is dedicated to securing justice, protecting your loved one’s rights, and pursuing the compensation needed for medical care, pain and suffering, and long-term support. Contact us today to speak with a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney.

Common Causes of Life-Threatening Injuries in Chicago Nursing Facilities

Life-threatening injuries in nursing facilities are often the result of preventable failures in care and safety. Recognizing these common causes can help families identify potential abuse or neglect and take action to protect their loved ones.

Severe Falls Resulting in Catastrophic Harm

Severe falls in long-term care facilities can lead to devastating injuries, especially among frail residents. These falls may cause traumatic brain injuries or complicated fractures to the hips and pelvis, which can result in life-threatening complications or even death.

These types of injuries can reveal issues with proper supervision or failures to implement effective fall prevention measures designed to keep residents safe.

Untreated Infections Leading to Fatal Sepsis

Untreated infections are another serious concern in these facilities. Conditions like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and infected bedsores can quickly worsen if not caught early or treated promptly. When left unaddressed, these infections may progress to sepsis or septic shock, both of which can be fatal and are common causes of severe injury and death in residents.

Choking and Asphyxiation Risks for Vulnerable Residents

Choking and asphyxiation pose significant risks to vulnerable residents who may have swallowing difficulties or require special dietary care.

When staff members neglect to follow prescribed feeding procedures or fail to carefully monitor high-risk individuals during meals, the consequences can be tragic. Ensuring proper care during feeding is essential to prevent these fatal incidents.

There are many different ways abuse and neglect can occur. If you suspect your loved one is going through this, reach out for legal help as soon as possible.

The Devastating Impact of a Life-Threatening Injury on Residents and Family Members

A life-threatening nursing home injury caused by staff members or other facility issues can have far-reaching effects on both the resident and their family.

• Survivors may face permanent disabilities such as paralysis or brain damage, drastically altering their independence and daily function.
• The demand for lifelong medical care, including surgeries, therapy, and assistive devices, can place a significant financial and emotional burden on families.
• Emotional trauma frequently accompanies these issues, with survivors facing feelings of loss, frustration, and isolation.
• Families often experience overwhelming stress as they adjust to caregiving roles, financial strain, and the emotional toll of seeing a loved one suffer.

These injuries highlight the urgent need for proper care and accountability in nursing home settings to protect vulnerable residents.

Long-Term Consequences and Lifetime Care Needs

A serious injury often leads to long-lasting effects that go far beyond the initial trauma, requiring ongoing care and support for the rest of the resident’s life.

• Ongoing Medical Treatments: Many victims need continuous medical attention, including regular doctor visits, medications, and therapies to manage their condition.
• Surgeries and Rehabilitation: Some injuries require multiple surgeries followed by extensive physical, occupational, or speech therapy to regain as much function as possible.
• Assistive Devices and Equipment: Wheelchairs, braces, or other medical devices may become necessary to support daily activities and mobility.
• Permanent Institutional Care: In severe cases, nursing home residents might need long-term placement in specialized institutions to receive the care they cannot get at home.
• Reduced Quality of Life: These injuries often significantly change the individual’s lifestyle, limiting independence and everyday enjoyment.

Professionals can create detailed life care plans that outline all future medical and personal care needs, helping support claims for appropriate compensation.

Nursing Home Responsibility Under Illinois Law for Preventing Severe Harm

Under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (NHCA) and general negligence laws, nursing homes have a strong responsibility to protect residents from serious injuries. Facilities must provide proper medical care and supervision to prevent harm that could have been foreseen and avoided.

When they fail to meet this duty, especially in cases of life-altering injuries, they can be held legally accountable for neglecting their obligations under the Nursing Home Care Act to vulnerable residents.

Proving Nursing Home Negligence in Cases Involving Critical Injuries

To prove nursing home negligence in situations involving potentially fatal injuries, you must show that the nursing home failed in its duty to provide adequate care.

Breach of Duty of Care

Establish that the facility had a responsibility to protect the resident. Then demonstrate that this responsibility was not met through improper care, lack of supervision, or failure to follow established protocols.

Causation

Next, it’s essential to link this breach directly to the injury or death. You need to prove that the harm wouldn’t have occurred if the facility had acted appropriately. The resident should visit their own doctor, not one at the facility, to determine causation.

Damages

You must also show the extent of the damages caused by the injury or death. This includes demonstrating the physical, emotional, and financial harm the resident and their family have suffered as a direct result of the facility’s actions or inactions.

Gathering Evidence

Important evidence includes medical records that document the resident’s condition and treatment, facility logs showing daily care or unusual incidents, and statements from witnesses who observed neglect or nursing home abuse. Examples could include hitting, failing to provide medical care, or using unnecessary physical or chemical restraints.

Often, experts such as medical professionals provide necessary testimony about the severity of the nursing home injuries and how proper care could have prevented them.

Building a strong case is crucial to holding an Illinois nursing home accountable for failing to prevent fatal harm to elderly residents.

Legal Options for Nursing Home Resident Victims and Families

When a nursing home resident sustains a severe injury, there are legal pathways available to seek justice and compensation. If the resident survives but is left with permanent damage, they or their appointed representative can file a personal injury claim against the facility.

In cases where the injury leads to death, the family’s personal representative can initiate a wrongful death lawsuit to hold the nursing home accountable. Both types of claims address the harm suffered and provide financial support to the victim or their loved ones.

Seeking Maximum Compensation for a Life-Threatening Injury

When it comes to potentially fatal injuries suffered in nursing homes, the damages involved can be extensive and far-reaching. It often includes:

• Medical bills that cover both the immediate treatments and future care required for recovery
• Expenses related to long-term or lifetime care
• Compensation for the intense physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury
• Claims for permanent disabilities that drastically affect the resident’s daily function and quality of life
• Damages for the loss of enjoyment of normal activities or independence
• In cases of wrongful death, financial restitution for the funeral and burial expenses as well as the family’s loss and related suffering

Seeking full compensation ensures that victims and their families receive the support necessary to handle the significant impact these injuries can have on their lives.

Why You Need Specialized Legal Representation for Illinois Nursing Home Cases

Cases involving severe injuries in nursing homes demand legal representation that knows how to handle their complexity.

• Experienced attorneys in catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims understand the unique challenges involved in these types of cases.
• They have access to medical experts who can clearly explain the extent of the resident’s injuries and the necessary future care.
• Life care planners work with these lawyers to develop detailed plans listing the costs of long-term support and rehabilitation.
• Skilled lawyers are prepared to vigorously challenge well-funded nursing home facilities and insurance companies to fight for the highest possible compensation.

Having a specialized legal team on your side greatly increases the chances of ensuring justice is served.

Consult a Chicago Nursing Home Life-Threatening Injury Lawyer Near You!

If your family is facing a possibly fatal injury due to nursing home neglect or abuse, reaching out for legal help is crucial. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case and help you determine what steps to take next.

Acting quickly allows us to investigate thoroughly and build a strong case on your behalf. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay unless we win. Call (888) 424-5757 or complete our online contact form when you’re ready.

You can also reach out to the nursing home hotline to report abuse and neglect, whether it’s physical or mental abuse. Call 1-800-252-4343.

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.