Can Nursing Home Negligence Lead to Wrongful Death?

 Posted on February 16, 2024 in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Leaving your loved one in a nursing home is stressful, and no one wants to deal with the added trouble of suspecting negligence or medical malpractice occurring in a nursing home. However, nursing home negligence does occur throughout Illinois, and severe cases of negligence can lead to wrongful death in certain situations. An experienced Illinois lawyer can help you figure out your legal options if you suspect a nursing home has improperly cared for your loved one.

What Is a Nursing Home Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death can occur in a nursing home when improper medical care, negligence from nursing home staff, abuse, or harm from another nursing home resident occurs and fatally injures a victim or leads to their death. In these cases, the individual may still be alive if they had received correct medical care and had medical staff that were attentive to their needs.

Examples of actions from staff that may lead to the wrongful death of an individual in a nursing home include:

• Failure to provide nutritional meals or hydration

• Abuse, including hitting, pushing, or allowing residents to fall

• Improper medical care, such as neglecting to change bedding or clean wounds

• Failure to prevent violence or abuse between residents

• Providing incorrect medications to residents

It is important to be aware of the signs of nursing home neglect or abuse when visiting your loved one. If you suspect improper care is being received, immediately document your findings and work with an attorney to pursue a claim.

How Do I Pursue a Nursing Home Wrongful Death Claim?

Nursing home wrongful death claims are supported by certain Illinois laws, such as the Wrongful Death Act and the Nursing Home Care Act. If you believe that your loved one suffered negligence, abuse, or improper care at the hands of nursing home staff and died because of this treatment, you should document all evidence possible and contact an attorney right away.

By navigating Illinois law and investigating the specifics of your case, an experienced lawyer can help you pursue your claim for compensation and justice on behalf of your loved one.

Contact a Rockford, IL Wrongful Death Attorney

People who need to leave their loved ones in the care of a nursing home often struggle to find the right nursing home to provide high-quality care. When proper care is not received and your loved one becomes a victim of negligence or abuse that leads to wrongful death, it can be very difficult to deal with this trauma.

An experienced Winnebago County, IL wrongful death attorney at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law can help you pursue a claim on behalf of your loved one. Call 815-215-7561 for a free consultation.