If you are currently faced with placing a family member or loved one in a nursing home or long-term care facility, it is important to get as much information as you can about the facility. This can be particularly challenging when the need for such a facility is sudden or unexpected. When you entrust your loved one to the care of a nursing home or long-term care facility you expect that your loved one will be treated with dignity and respect in a safe environment.
The State of Illinois has safeguards in place to protect the rights of residents and patients of nursing homes and long-term care facilities. All such facilities in Illinois must be properly licensed and certified to remain in operation. The Illinois Department of Public Health inspects these facilities at least once a year to evaluate their compliance with laws and regulations. A trained team of health care professionals from the Illinois Department of Public Health usually stays in these facilities 3 to 4 days to gain an understanding of what the facilities’ environment is like for residents from day-to-day. These inspections, which are unannounced, serve to make sure that the facilities are in compliance with all applicable Illinois and federal laws. The facilities must pass this inspection process in order to maintain their license. Also, the compliance with these laws makes it less likely that residents will be the victims of abuse or neglect while living there.
If you, or a loved one, have been the victim of abuse or neglect in an Illinois nursing home you may be entitled to bring a claim against that facility. The attorneys of Mark L. Karno & Associates have successfully represented victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. If you have any questions about this post, or any issues regarding possible nursing home abuse or neglect, contact Mark L. Karno & Associates by calling (312) 701-0090 or by emailing [email protected]