Chicago Group Home Neglect Lawyer

Group homes are meant to provide care to vulnerable people who cannot live independently, including those with developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy and older adults.

Most people assume a group home is a place of healing and security for disabled residents. However, 70% of developmentally disabled individuals in group homes experienced abuse or neglect, underscoring the dangers that group home residents face in these facilities [1].

Private companies running residential treatment facilities have been known to expose children to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, even falsifying records to hide abuse and neglect [2].

If your family member with special needs or an elderly loved one has suffered severe injury or death in a group home, nursing home, or assisted living facility, our Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you take legal action.

When to Contact a Group Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer

It is crucial for families to stay vigilant when a loved one is a resident in assistive care, seeking legal guidance as soon as they suspect there may be an issue.

If a resident shows signs of neglect, such as bed sores, pressure ulcers, poor hygiene, or unexpected weight loss, this can be a sign the facility is negligent. A victim may also become withdrawn, anxious, or depressed, which can also suggest group home abuse.

Staff members are responsible for a resident’s care over an extended period of time. They’re meant to make informed decisions for the well-being of their charges and protect them from harm. This includes contacting the family should there be an issue with their loved one.

Any difficulty communicating with the group home management or staff refusing to allow communication with a resident may suggest poor supervision or an attempt to hide evidence of injuries. Additionally, unsatisfactory responses to complaints or attempts to downplay concerns can also suggest group home abuse.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to obtaining justice and maximum compensation for victims of abuse and neglect in group homes. Our experienced legal team specializes in handling sensitive abuse cases and has a proven track record of achieving substantial settlements and verdicts.

We meticulously investigate every detail of the case to ensure that all forms of mistreatment—whether physical, emotional, or neglect—are fully addressed. With our deep expertise in group home abuse claims, we navigate the complexities effectively and fight tirelessly to protect your loved one’s rights.

Types of Abuse in Group Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

There are many forms that abuse can take in a group home setting, some of which can result in life-threatening injuries or wrongful death.

Worse, a 2022 audit of group homes across the country found that 99% of critical incidents, such as severe injuries or illness that required hospitalization, were never reported [3]. Many residents fail to disclose the harm caused by staff or other residents for fear of retaliation, leading to underreporting of the issue [4].

Types of abuse our attorneys see include the following.

Physical Abuse

Group home victims are vulnerable to violence from staff, with some estimating that 44% of assisted living facility residents reported being abused [5].

Several factors can contribute to this violence, which includes understaffing, difficult behaviors from residents, and burnout due to long hours. In some facilities, staff have reported working shifts as long as 24 hours, which could contribute to widespread abuse [6].

Staff also often lack the necessary training and credentials to work with disabled residents, meaning they are unfamiliar with safe ways to handle aggressive behavior [7].

Aggressive residents may also assault another person due to inadequate supervision. In assisted living facilities, the monthly prevalence of resident-on-resident aggression has been reported to be 15.2%, which includes physical aggression [8].

• $1,500,000 – Group home negligence lawsuit involving physical abuse by other residents.

Physical forms of abuse can also include overdosing or underdosing patients. The use of potentially harmful medications as a form of sedation was associated with increased hospitalization, lower functional status, and increased mortality amongst group home patients [9].

Sexual Abuse

Both children and adults with disabilities are at a significantly higher risk of sexual abuse, including in a group home setting [10]. Relying on others for care makes residents vulnerable to exploitation, especially if they are unable to report their experiences to others due to a fear of retribution or feeling responsible for the attack.

Lack of oversight and neglectful staffing may mean victims suffer extended periods of abuse. In one example, an underaged victim in a group home facility was repeatedly victimized. Management moved the perpetrator to another wing of the building, where the staffer continued to harass the child by visiting her window every night [11].

Additionally, those with developmental disabilities may be unable to recognize warning signs of potential danger, making them more vulnerable to abuse from residents or staff [12].

Financial Abuse

Financial exploitation is one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse, and it is particularly prevalent among older and disabled individuals [13].

Individuals with developmental disabilities may be overly trusting and assume those in their life have their best interests in mind, particularly if they are familiar with facility staff. This can lead to theft of Social Security checks, fraudulent ATM withdrawals, or forcing the resident to sign over their assets with threats.

Family members should always pay close attention to the bank accounts of a loved one in an assisted living facility, watching carefully for any suspicious charges.

Emotional Abuse

A 2022 study found that 33.4% of nursing home residents had been subjected to psychological abuse, which can include verbal harassment, threats, insults, and yelling at victims [14]. This form of group home abuse may be from fellow residents or from frustrated staff members.

Emotional abuse can lead to severe mental health issues, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety, as well as reduced self-esteem and worse health outcomes.

Steps to Take If You Suspect Group Home Neglect

It is crucial to act quickly if you suspect abuse or neglect in group homes, as delays can lead to further victimization of a vulnerable person. Follow these steps as soon as possible if you believe your loved one has been subject to abuse.

Report Neglect

Your first call should be to your local police department. If the emergency is life-threatening, call 911 or the non-emergency line if there is no immediate danger.

If your loved one is in a facility that receives Medicaid or Medicare funds, you can call your state’s Department of Health. They can then begin an investigation into the facility and direct you to the appropriate agencies for further assistance.

The Attorney General’s Office in your state can investigate abuse in long-term care facilities. They are most helpful for instances of immediate danger, as they can act quickly.

In most states, there is a Long Term Care Ombudsman who investigates accusations of neglect or abuse in long-term care settings. This department can also mediate between facilities and families to find appropriate solutions.

If your loved one was discriminated against at a public hospital or a federally-funded agency, you can file an Americans With Disabilities Act complaint. However, this can take several months.

Collect Information and Evidence

As you work with the appropriate authorities, begin collecting evidence of the group home abuse. Take photos of your loved one’s injuries and ask them for a statement if possible. Gather medical records related to their injuries and get details for staff and residents who may have witnessed any incidents.

If you suspect neglect, get pictures of the facility to show the conditions. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can then assess these for any violations, which will bolster your claims.

Get in Touch With an Attorney

Schedule a free consultation with our group home abuse attorneys, who can go over your options for compensation and justice.

We’ll gather all possible information and identify who may be liable, which will determine how we approach the case. Group homes carry liability insurance, so we can negotiate with their insurance company to receive funds for medical care as well as for damages for emotional distress.

Injuries Suffered Due to Group Home Neglect and Abuse

Injuries experienced due to abuse in group homes may include:

• Broken Bones – Physical violence, such as hitting or throwing patients, may result in severe fractures.
• Bruising and Lacerations – Pinching, restraining, or slapping residents can cause significant bruising that may take a long time to heal.
• Bed Sores -Non-ambulatory patients who are not regularly rotated in bed can develop sores, sometimes so severe that they expose the bone.
• Infections – Poor hygiene can result in Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), while poor infection protocols may lead to widespread respiratory diseases. Additionally, foodborne illnesses may lead to significant illness for patients because of poor sanitary conditions.
• Malnutrition – Many disabled individuals are on specialized diets. Refusing access to necessary nutrition can cause significant weight loss, endangering a resident’s health.
• Dehydration – Residents who cannot access their own water or who require supplemental nutrition may become severely dehydrated. This can lead to confusion, lethargy, and dizziness. In severe cases, it may even lead to organ damage.
• Brain Injuries – Falling or being slammed against a wall may result in traumatic brain injuries.
• Self-Inflicted Injuries – Some special needs individuals may engage in self-harm when distressed. Neglectful staff may fail to prevent this, leading to significant injuries.
• Sexual Abuse – Unexplained bleeding or genital trauma may result from sexual assault or harassment.
• Medication Errors – Staff may place patients on heavy medications as a form of chemical restraint, or they may fail to carefully check dosages.
• Slips and Falls – Neglectful staff may not follow fall risk protocols or may not attend to a resident’s needs in a timely manner, leading to falls when they attempt to do it themselves.
• Mental Health Issues – Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and withdrawal from everyday activities are frequent outcomes of group home abuse.

Who Can Report Neglect in Group Homes?

In every state, mandated reporters are obligated to inform the proper authorities if they suspect abuse; however, the protocols for this vary by state. Different departments are responsible for overseeing group homes in each state, making it crucial to work with an attorney familiar with the procedures in your state.

Contact a Group Home Abuse Lawyer Today!

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers seeks to hold group homes accountable for abusive and neglectful behavior, ensuring your loved one receives justice for their pain. Our world-class law firm has recovered millions for our clients across the country and is highly rated by both our peers and the public. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we are able to obtain compensation for you.

To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call us 24/7 at (888) 424-5757.

Resources: [1] Herald Ledger, [2] Senate Committee on Finance Staff, [3] US Department of Health and Human Services, [4] USA Today, [5] Cureus, [6] Center for Health Journalism, [7] Center for Health Journalism, [8] JAMA Network, [9] Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, [10] Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, [11] Senate Committee on Finance Staff, [12] Sage Journals, [13] Special Needs Alliance, [14] National Library of Medicine

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.