Did a loved one pass away while in the care of a nursing home? Unfortunately, these cases are especially heartbreaking because residents of these facilities should be able to trust the people who work there to provide them with a good quality of life.
Likewise, as the family or friends of the person who passed away, you should be able to believe that your loved one is safe while residing in the nursing home. If you’re concerned about what happened up to their death, call Shore Law to talk to a nursing home abuse lawyer in Chicago.
We have recovered $250 million in compensation for our clients. Together, our attorneys have 40 years of combined experience. Our law firm operates as both a legal advocate and a nursing home software consultant, meaning we’re ready to go beyond surface-level evidence.
When Does a Nursing Home Death Become Wrongful?
Not every death in a nursing home points to wrongdoing. Many residents are elderly, and some of them have pre-existing health conditions that have already taken a toll on their well-being.
Despite these circumstances, there are situations in which someone’s death is the result of neglect or abuse. With a Chicago personal injury lawyer by your side, you can file a wrongful death claim.
This is usually the plan of action for those who suspect that a facility or its staff not only failed to provide an appropriate standard of care, but that their failure also led to their resident’s death in the following ways:
- Ignoring medical needs
- Failing to prevent falls
- Failing to respond to clear signs of distress
The main question here is whether or not the death could have been avoided if proper care had been provided to your loved one. In order to figure this out, your case will likely require a closer look at documented records, staffing levels, and internal policies.
The Kinds of Issues That Usually Raise Red Flags for Families
Some patterns tend to show up more often than others in nursing home wrongful death cases, and they are often tied to preventable conditions. Neglect is a common factor in these cases, which can manifest in the following ways:
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Untreated infections
- Bedsores that worsened over time
Falls are another major concern, especially when residents who needed assistance were left unattended. Furthermore, a single fall can lead to complications that become life-threatening, particularly for older adults with fragile health.
In many cases, proper supervision or safety measures could have made a difference. There are also situations involving medication errors or a failure to monitor existing conditions. Giving the wrong medication—or missing doses altogether—can have serious consequences, too.
How a Lawyer Can Help You Figure Out What Happened
A difficult aspect of these cases is that families don’t always get answers right away. Facilities might provide limited information or withhold certain details, and even if they kept records, they don’t always tell the full story on their own.
Thankfully, when a Chicago nursing home wrongful death attorney takes on your case, they will start by gathering documentation, especially the following:
- Medical records
- Incident reports
- Staffing logs
In many cases, they will also work with medical professionals who can review the details and identify where care likely fell short. This process helps turn uncertainty into something more concrete.
Additionally, your attorney will also handle communication with the nursing home and its insurance representatives. These cases can involve defensive insurers, so having someone who knows how to ask the right questions on your behalf can make a meaningful difference.
Why It’s Important to Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Wrongful Death Law Firm Immediately
It’s completely understandable if you want to take your time before contacting lawyers who can help you with your case. However, at the same time, wrongful death claims in Illinois are subject to deadlines that can affect the outcome of your case.
If you wait too long, you can end up limiting your ability to file a claim or gather the evidence that you need to support your case. The statute of limitations usually begins on the date of death, though there might be some nuance involved, depending on the specifics of your case.
Even when you have time on your side, any unexpected delays can make it harder to access records or piece together what really happened. Speaking with a nursing home wrongful death attorney in Chicago is a smart idea when you want to seek justice for your loved one.
Contact Shore Law for Assistance From Chicago Nursing Home Wrongful Death Attorneys
When looking for a nursing home wrongful death lawyer in Chicago who can take on your case, you’ll want someone who understands the legal side, of course. However, it’s also important that your attorney recognizes how personal these situations are.
Experience with nursing home cases can be especially valuable, since this means your legal counsel is already familiar with the regulations and standards of care involved in these cases. At the same time, communication matters as well, which is why Shore Law is the one to call.
We make it a point to show our clients that their concerns are being heard and taken seriously. As your Chicago nursing home wrongful death lawyers, we will take the time to understand what your family has been through and help you move forward in a way that feels right for you.
