Justice for Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
When a loved one enters a nursing home, we trust that they will be cared for with dignity, respect, and professionalism. But in too many Illinois facilities, that trust is broken. Nursing home residents — many of whom are elderly, disabled, or nonverbal — suffer injuries due to neglect, understaffing, medication errors, or even outright abuse. If your loved one was injured in a nursing home, you have legal rights under Illinois law.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
Nursing home injuries are not always accidental — and they are rarely isolated. The signs of abuse or neglect can be subtle at first. Families should be alert to:
Unexplained bruises, cuts, or fractures
Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
Frequent falls or head injuries
Malnutrition or dehydration
Sudden weight loss
Poor hygiene or unsanitary conditions
Overmedication or missed medications
Withdrawal, depression, or fear around staff
Dirty bedding or soiled clothing
Delayed notification of injury or hospitalization
If something feels off, you have the right to investigate.
Common Nursing Home Injuries
Common types of injuries incurred due to nursing home abuse and neglect include:
Falls caused by poor supervision, lack of assistance, or slippery floors
Bedsores (pressure ulcers) from prolonged immobility or neglect
Fractures due to improper lifting or inadequate fall prevention
Infections caused by poor hygiene, catheter mishandling, or untreated wounds
Medication errors — wrong drug, wrong dose, or missed administration
Physical or sexual abuse by staff or other residents
Choking, aspiration, or feeding injuries
Wrongful death caused by neglect, understaffing, or inaction.
Illinois Law Protects Nursing Home Residents
Under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45), residents are guaranteed the right to be free from abuse, neglect, and improper care. Facilities that violate these rights can be held liable through civil lawsuits and may also face penalties from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
Illinois law generally allows for:
Actual damages for medical costs, pain, and suffering
Punitive damages for reckless or intentional conduct
Survival actions and wrongful death claims by surviving family members
Attorney’s fees and costs in successful cases
These protections exist to empower families — and we help them use those rights to full effect.
217 Law Attorneys
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Courtney Anderson
Courtney practices criminal defense, family law, and personal injury. Never shy of a difficult or high-profile case, she has won numerous awards for her advocacy, including recently being selected as a finalist for top lawyer in Macon County.
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Fallon Conner
Fallon practices criminal defense and family law. As a former prosecutor, she has unique insight into the criminal justice system. She enjoys being in the courtroom and has a great track record of success in bench and jury trials.
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Zach Anderson
Zach focuses on helping injured clients with workers compensation, personal injury, and products liability claims. He has successfully resolved multiple single-party injury cases for over $1 million, and has helped recover millions for users of bad products.
We want to work with you.
Phone:
217-217-0217
Address:
132 S. Water St., Suite 628. Decatur, IL 62523
Email:
info@217law.com
Where We Work:
We help clients throughout the 217 area code with injury claims and general civil litigation. We practice criminal defense and family law in Macon and surrounding counties.
