Can I Sue the Nursing Home for My Mom’s Infection? | IL

 Posted on September 09, 2024 in Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect

Placing your parents in a nursing home is often a heartbreaking decision. You entrust their care to the facility, expecting the home to adhere to mandated care standards. Unfortunately, these facilities do not always meet your expectations, leaving your loved ones to suffer.

If your mother gets an infection due to negligent care while she is a patient in a nursing home, you may be able to hold the facility accountable. How do you know if her case qualifies? How do you pursue compensation? Call Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC today for your free consultation with one of our knowledgeable lawyers so we can answer your questions and explain your options.

What Kinds of Infections Are Common in Nursing Homes?

A nursing home patient’s overall health condition may make her prone to infections. However, proper care can often prevent common infections, such as respiratory infections,  urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, and skin infections such as bedsores.

These and other infections, when left untreated, can cause significant harm. Potential risks include:

• Pneumonia

• Sepsis, which can cause organ damage or failure

• Blood poisoning and dangerously low blood pressure

• Amputation

• Multiple surgeries

• Death

An untreated infection can spread to other parts of the body, causing additional problems. If negligent care led to your parent’s infection or worsened her condition, Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC can help you obtain compensation.

Does My Parent’s Case Qualify for a Settlement?

When the nursing home accepted your parent as a patient, it became legally obligated to meet care standards mandated by Illinois state laws. Ensuring cleanliness and patient hygiene, helping patients with limited mobility change positions regularly, providing proper food and drink, and providing prompt medical care are among the requirements.

Whether intentionally or not, several negligent factors may have contributed to your mother’s infection, including:

• Understaffing

• Inadequate training or supervision

• Not providing prompt medical attention at the first sign of infection

• Employees not washing their hands properly

• Failing to keep the facility clean

• Not repositioning your parent frequently enough

If you suspect that neglect caused your parent’s infection, document everything. Your attorney from Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC can investigate the situation and gather the evidence we need to hold the facility accountable for your or your parent’s eligible losses. We can also help you report the neglect to the Illinois Department of Health.

What Damages May Be Available for Nursing Home Infections?

Every case is unique, and Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC cannot answer that question until we discuss and investigate your case. However, damages may include:

Medical expenses, both for treating the current infection and any related long-term issues

• Pain and suffering

• Other eligible losses that diminished your parent’s quality of life

• Punitive damages in cases involving extreme negligence

Your legal team will work diligently to see that you and your parent get every available penny of compensation.

Call Today To Speak With Our Skilled Chicago, IL Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

Seeing a loved one suffer needlessly due to a lack of proper care should not happen. Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC has successfully handled multiple nursing home abuse and neglect cases, and we look forward to helping you. Call us at 312-236-6324 now for your free consultation with one of our determined Chicagoland, IL personal injury attorneys.