Older people are more vulnerable to COVID-19. Older people suffer more serious complications associated with the virus and have a higher rate of death. This leaves a lot of residents of nursing homes in Illinois and across the U.S. at greater risk of harm. The number of deaths in nursing homes also highlights the abuse, negligence, and malpractice that happens all too often.
Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois & Beyond
A number of family members are already accusing nursing homes in Illinois of negligence after a coronavirus outbreak and COVID-19 related deaths. At least 23 residents and one employee of the Symphony of Joliet nursing home have died of COVID-19. Family members said they were kept in the dark about family members who fell ill and the nursing home staff were failing to take responsibility. The daughter of an 84-year-old Army veteran and resident of Symphony said she did not know her father even had the virus until after he died.
But Illinois isn’t the only state experiencing this type of nursing home abuse. For example, people in New Jersey are complaining about nursing homes and their treatment of family members. Edilma Picon said staff of the Elizabeth Nursing & Rehab Center did not tell her of the spread of COVID-19 in the nursing home, which killed her mother and 29 other residents.
Police in Andover, New Jersey got a call about a dead body in the shed of a nursing home. The police discovered 17 bodies in the Andover Sub-Acute and Rehab Center Two morgue, one of the state’s largest nursing homes.
The problem with nursing homes and COVID-19 extends numbers of deaths. In a rest home in Milan, about 190 residents died. The tax police have seized documents in an investigation on the Pio Albergo Trivulzio rest home where the nursing home administrators are suspected of culpable negligence.
Signs the Nursing Home Industry Will Seek Immunity
The nursing home industry is big business. Nursing home corporations and trade groups are aware of the problem of negligence and abuse. However, instead of hiring more staff and increasing protections for residents, some nursing homes are looking for special treatment. A trade group for nursing homes in Florida is seeking immunity from negligence lawsuits.
Nursing home residents and their families have a legal cause of action for negligence, abuse, or malpractice. This is intended to hold those who are responsible for the harm accountable for their actions. A nursing home negligence lawsuit can seek damages from nursing homeowners who are responsible for injuries, harm, or even death of a nursing home resident.
Time to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim
There is a limited amount of time to file a nursing home abuse claim in Illinois. In most cases, a nursing home abuse lawsuit must be filed within 2 years of the date of the accident or injury. However, the length of time to file a claim may be longer or shorter, depending on the victim and the parties involved. Contact your Illinois nursing home negligence attorney as soon as possible after a nursing home death or accident to make sure your claim is filed in time. If the lawsuit is filed even one day late, your claim may be denied.
Aurora and Chicagoland Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer
There is no excuse for abuse or negligence of nursing home residents. Victims of nursing home abuse and their families can take action to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Contact the Cullotta Bravo Law Group today at 630-898-7800 to schedule your free consultation.
