Why Should I Act Quickly If I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?

 Posted on June 27, 2025 in Personal Injury

Suspecting that your loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse or neglect can be devastating. Swift action matters, not only to protect your family member, but also to preserve evidence that supports your claim. It is better to investigate your suspicions and find nothing wrong than to delay and later realize that further harm came to your loved one.

If you believe your loved one is being harmed in a nursing home, you can count on our dedicated Oswego, IL personal injury attorneys for exceptional legal representation.

What Are Common Kinds of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

Nursing homes are required to provide proper care to their residents. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including:

• Physical abuse includes hitting, pushing, or using restraints improperly.
• Emotional abuse may involve yelling, making threats, or isolating a resident from others.
• Financial abuse can involve stealing money or belongings, manipulating accounts, or pressuring residents to give gifts or sign financial documents.

Although less common, sexual abuse can also occur.

Neglect is also a serious issue in many long-term care facilities. Common forms of neglect include failing to provide proper food, water, medication, or hygiene assistance. Residents may be left in dirty clothing. Some develop bedsores because staff do not assist them with moving regularly. Inadequate supervision may lead to dangerous falls or wandering. Neglect can cause serious harm to nursing home residents.

Identifying neglect or abuse early and taking immediate action can prevent further harm and may even save your loved one’s life.

What Red Flags Could Indicate Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

Some signs of abuse or neglect are easy to miss, especially if your loved one is unable to communicate well. Physical warning signs may include unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or burns. Rapid weight loss or sudden changes in hygiene can also be causes for concern. If your loved one appears to be scared, withdrawn, or anxious around certain staff members, these behaviors may indicate emotional abuse.

If staff members refuse to answer your questions or limit your access to your loved one’s records, these are additional signs that your loved one may not be receiving proper care. Recognizing issues early is extremely important. Trust your instincts. If something seems wrong, take prompt action to protect your loved one’s safety.

What Immediate Actions Should I Take If I Suspect Abuse?

If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911. Report your concerns to the nursing home’s administrators. Ask for a response in writing. If you live close enough to the facility, begin making unannounced visits at various times. When the facility’s staff does not know you are coming, you may be more likely to catch neglect or abuse as it is happening.

Document everything. Take dated photos of injuries or subpar facility conditions. Keep copies of medical records, incident reports, and communications with staff. If witnesses saw the abuse or neglect, get their contact information. The documentation you provide can serve as evidence, as facility records could be lost or altered.

Contact our office as soon as possible. We can provide case-specific advice and assistance.

How Does Acting Quickly Help My Case?

First and foremost, fast action can protect your loved one from further harm. Acting promptly if you suspect abuse or neglect can also allow your attorney to investigate while the evidence is fresh and easier to uncover. We can assist you with reporting the harm to the appropriate authorities. We can also arrange for independent evaluations to assess your loved one’s condition.

These actions help us build a strong, well-documented case. We can evaluate your loved one’s eligible damages and seek the highest available amount of compensation.

Discuss Your Suspicions With Our Skilled Kendall County, IL Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Today

If you suspect that nursing home abuse or neglect has harmed your loved one, do not wait to take action. Contact Kendall County Injury Lawyers, a Division of Kanoski Bresney online or by calling 888-826-8682 to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced Yorkville, IL personal injury lawyers can fight to hold the facility accountable while pursuing maximum compensation on your behalf.