Nursing Home Abuse and Malpractice in Illinois – There is Help
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Nursing home abuse may involve Medical Malpractice or Nursing Malpractice. Reporting the abuse is the first step, and contacting a qualified attorney may be necessary if there is a victim who has experienced harm or injury due to the negligence or malpractice of others.
If elder abuse happened to me, it can happen to anyone. I want you to know that you deserve better. – Mickey Rooney
Elderly abuse is a terrible problem, and sadly many cases are never reported. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, numerous elderly members of society suffer from physical, emotional, mental and verbal abuse every year. The majority of senior citizens are abused by family members, however, statistics indicating the occurrence of abuse in long-term care facilities are still staggering. Over 3.2 million individuals reside in long-term care facilities. A research study indicated that 44 percent of the 2,000 interviewed residents stated that they had been abused at some point in the facility.
In Illinois there are avenues for reporting abuse, with plans for more online access in the future.
Currently the Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a 24-hour Central Complaint Registry Hotline to report nursing home abuse at: 800-252-4343
There is also an online form which can be downloaded at: http://www.idph.state.il.us/pdf/CCR_ComplaintForm_Fields.pdf
Anyone considering placement of a loved one would be wise to investigate a prospective nursing facility thoroughly. The US News and World Report has for many years published a list of the Best Nursing Homes, which is available here: Best Nursing Homes
The Illinois Department of Public Health also has an informative online guide: How to Select a Nursing Home
The legal field has become so complex and so specialized, it is critical to select a lawyer who thoroughly understands your situation and the laws involved. MalpracticeAttorneys.com is the leading online source for news and information regarding medical and nursing malpractice. It is easy to register on our site, and our service is free to victims. If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, report it. Then contact us for access to an expert attorney who will listen to your story, and recommend the appropriate course of action.