Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Fighting for Justice on Behalf of Nursing Home Residents and Their Family Members in Chicago

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we know how devastating it can be when a loved one suffers abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Our leading Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer team has spent decades fighting for elderly and disabled residents throughout the city and across Illinois. We’ve taken on some of the largest nursing home corporations in Chicago and recovered millions in verdicts and settlements on behalf of nursing home residents and their family members. Contact us for a free consultation today!

Nursing Home Abuse Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Law Firm in Chicago

• $3,000,000 – Marta’s husband entered a Northwest Side nursing home facility after hip surgery at Northwestern Memorial. Within weeks, he developed Stage IV pressure ulcers that progressed to sepsis, and he passed away at Rush. Our legal team proved that the Braden scores were ignored, wound care consults were delayed, and staffing ratios were violated. Our review of the medical records showed gaps in turning/repositioning. The case settled shortly before trial.
• $2,333,000 – Helen and Joy lived in a North Side Chicago nursing home. A certified nursing assistant assaulted both women during night shifts. Prior complaints were buried, and background checks were spotty. Our law firm worked with trauma psychologists to document PTSD and loss of dignity, and we obtained text messages showing management knew of prior incidents. 
• $2,150,000 – Eddie, a South Shore resident, died after preventable pressure ulcers led to infection. Hospitalizations at the University of Chicago Medicine established the medical causation. We paired infectious-disease experts with wound-care nurses to link the injuries to missed turns and late wound debridement. 
• $1,700,000 – Ruth was a known high fall risk with a care plan calling for a sitter and bed alarm. The nursing home skipped both. She fell, suffered a subdural hematoma and a hip fracture, and required surgery at Advocate Illinois Masonic. Surveillance video contradicted charting. 
• $1,500,000 – Dolores, a dementia patient in Little Village, accessed an unlocked housekeeping closet and ingested a caustic cleaning agent. She endured painful endoscopies and months of tube feeding. Our legal team showed violations of the facility’s safety policies and CMS tags for environmental hazards. 
• $1,500,000 – In a Rogers Park CILA, Paul was repeatedly struck by other residents during understaffed evening shifts, leading to facial fractures and lasting anxiety. We documented physical abuse, obtained staffing schedules, and retained a neuropsychologist to explain behavioral fallout. 
• $1,250,000 – Walter required pureed solids and thickened liquids, but the nursing home served regular food without supervision. He aspirated and died; the Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed asphyxiation. Our team demonstrated that the care plan wasn’t followed, and mealtime supervision was lacking. 
• $1,200,000 – Angela was hurt when a nursing home transport van braked hard. Her wheelchair wasn’t secured, and she suffered spinal injuries. We proved the driver had no transfer training, and the facility outsourced transportation without oversight. 

What Makes Us the Best Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Chicago

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our top-rated nursing home abuse lawyers have built a reputation on results, professionalism, and relentless advocacy for nursing home residents who’ve suffered abuse and neglect.

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, and active in the American Association for Justice and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. We maintain an AVVO rating of 10/10 and contribute regularly to The National Law Review. 

Over the years, we’ve obtained over $450 million in verdicts and settlements for victims of nursing home abuse, including cases of physical abuse, sexual abuse, preventable falls, and fatal pressure sores. More importantly, we’ve stood with families through every step, investigating, explaining options, and fighting until justice is served.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases We Handle

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we handle the full spectrum of nursing facility abuse and neglect claims in Chicago. Each case is different, but they all share a common thread: vulnerable residents were failed by the very people entrusted with their care. Here are the most common types of home abuse and neglect we see.

Physical Abuse

This includes hitting, shoving, restraining, or otherwise inflicting physical harm on residents. We’ve represented clients where nursing home staff members or even other residents caused injuries ranging from bruises and fractures to long-term disability. Our team works with medical experts to prove the abuse and show how better staffing, training, or supervision could have prevented it.

Emotional Abuse

Not all harm is visible. Verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, and isolation can cause lasting trauma for elderly residents. Victims of mental abuse often suffer from anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from daily activities. In these cases, we gather witness testimony, facility records, and psychological evaluations to show the impact of this cruel conduct.

Sexual Abuse

Sadly, we’ve handled nursing home abuse cases involving sexual assault of vulnerable residents. This type of abuse can cause devastating physical injuries and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as emotional trauma, including PTSD. In one of our largest settlements, two Chicago women were assaulted by a CNA. We use forensic evidence, prior complaints, and expert testimony to hold facilities accountable for failing to protect their residents.

Neglect

Neglect occurs when nursing homes fail to provide adequate medical care, supervision, or basic needs such as food, hydration, hygiene, or safe environments. Examples include falls due to missing bed alarms, untreated infections, or medication errors. While not always intentional, this type of abuse or neglect can be just as deadly as outright nursing home misconduct.

Financial Abuse

Some residents are manipulated or coerced into giving away money or property, or they lose control over their own financial affairs due to dishonest caregivers or administrators. Our role is to trace financial records, expose unauthorized transfers, and fight to recover stolen assets for victims and their families.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Nursing Home Abuse in Chicago?

Through our work, we’ve seen that nursing home abuse rarely happens by accident. Instead, it’s usually the result of systemic problems inside a nursing home facility or corporate cost-cutting that puts profits over people. The most common causes of abuse in a nursing home setting include:

• Understaffing and poor staff training – Many Chicago nursing home neglect cases stem from facilities that are chronically understaffed. When there aren’t enough caregivers—or when those caregivers are rushed and untrained—residents go without meals, medications, or supervision, creating conditions for abuse and neglect to occur.
• Inadequate background checks – We’ve represented families where dangerous employees slipped through the hiring process because the facility didn’t properly vet applicants. Nursing home negligence can lead to physical abuse, sexual abuse, or theft in a setting that should be safe.
• Failure to follow medical treatment plans – Each resident’s care plan is supposed to guide staff on preventing falls, treating wounds, or monitoring chronic conditions. When facilities ignore these plans, residents face unnecessary risks and injuries.
• High turnover rates – Many nursing and assisted living facilities have turnover rates. This churn means residents are cared for by people who don’t know them well, increasing the likelihood of nursing home negligence.
• Lack of supervision – Too often, nursing home administration fails to monitor staff performance, enforce safety policies, or respond to red flags. Without oversight, problems snowball into serious harm for nursing home patients.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Associated with Nursing Home Abuse?

The injuries we see most often tell the real story of how dangerous nursing home neglect and abuse can be. Some injuries heal with time, but others permanently change a resident’s quality of life or even result in fatality. The most common include:

• Bed sores and pressure ulcers – Painful sores develop when staff fail to turn or reposition nursing home patients. Left untreated, these wounds can progress to severe infections like sepsis. Many of our largest settlements involve pressure ulcer injuries that never should have happened.
• Broken bones and fractures from falls – Falls are one of the leading causes of serious harm in Cook County nursing homes. Residents often suffer hip fractures, head injuries, or subdural hematomas when staff ignore fall-risk precautions or skip safety equipment.
• Malnutrition and dehydration – We’ve seen too many nursing home negligence cases where residents lose weight, become weak, or develop organ damage because they aren’t fed or hydrated properly. This is one of the clearest warning signs of abuse and neglect.
• Infections – Urinary tract infections, sepsis, and pneumonia are common when basic hygiene and medical monitoring are ignored. These infections can quickly escalate, especially for elderly residents with fragile health.
• Emotional distress and PTSD – The trauma of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or prolonged neglect often leads to emotional scars that don’t heal. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are common among victims of nursing home abuse.

What Damages Can Nursing Home Abuse Victims Recover in Chicago?

When a resident suffers harm in a Chicago nursing home, the law allows victims and their families to pursue compensation. While every case is different, the categories of damages that can be awarded include:

• Medical bills and future treatment costs – Victims are entitled to recover the cost of hospital stays, rehabilitation, medications, and any ongoing care related to the abuse or neglect. In cases of serious injury, future medical expenses can far exceed the initial bills.
• Pain and suffering – Physical pain from injuries like fractures, infections, or untreated wounds is a major component of damages. Courts recognize that these harms have value beyond just medical costs.
• Emotional distress – The psychological effects of abuse—fear, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress—can be just as damaging as physical injuries. Emotional damages are often supported by expert testimony or counseling records.
• Loss of quality of life – Many residents lose independence, mobility, or the ability to enjoy daily activities they once could. These losses are compensable in a civil case.
• Wrongful death damages – When neglect or abuse leads to a resident’s death, families may recover funeral expenses, lost companionship, and other losses.

Our role as nursing home abuse lawyers is to maximize these recoveries by proving every layer of harm through medical records, expert opinions, and facility documentation. 

What Is the Average Nursing Home Abuse Payout in Chicago?

The average nursing home abuse payout in Chicago is $711,800, with a median of $610,000. Reported case values generally fall in a range from $125,000 to nearly $1.9 million.

The value of a case depends on several factors, including:

• The severity of the injury (for example, a fall with a hip fracture compared to fatal sepsis from untreated bed sores).
• The extent of negligence (whether staff ignored a care plan, failed to monitor, or engaged in direct physical abuse or sexual abuse).
• The resources of the facility and its parent corporation.
• How a jury might perceive the evidence, including witness credibility and the quality of medical records.

Example Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases in Cook County

• $1,000,000 – Frank Sue, a quadriplegic man in his late 70s, developed stage IV pressure ulcers while staying at Alden Naperville Rehabilitation & Healthcare. His wounds worsened until he died from complications. His daughter, Dorothy, brought claims against the facility and his treating physicians. The defense argued his condition made sores unavoidable, but the case resolved for $1 million, with $665,000 paid by Alden and $335,000 by his doctor.
• $875,000 – Antonio Mares, 57, was living at Center Home for Hispanic Elderly in Chicago when he choked on a meal. His care plan required a mechanical-soft diet and staff supervision, but he was left unattended. After choking, the staff failed to respond in time to save him. 
• $850,000 – Kenneth Balej, 71, entered Alden Town Manor Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Cicero with a urinary tract infection and paralysis from a prior stroke. Staff failed to monitor his catheter, ignored signs of infection, and allegedly falsified records. He developed sepsis and died within weeks. 

Why You Need a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home negligence cases are among the most challenging areas of civil litigation. Experienced elder abuse lawyers will perform a detailed investigation to piece together what really happened. We counter large corporate defense firms with expert witnesses and medical testimony.

As nursing home abuse attorneys, our role is to level the playing field, build strong cases, and fight for justice, whether that means a settlement or taking the case to trial in a Chicago courtroom.

How Common Is Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Chicago?

On July 30, 2025, there were at least 38 nursing homes cited for abuse in Chicago, and at least one was part of the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program. SFF facilities are subject to more frequent inspections, escalating penalties, and potential termination from Medicare and Medicaid services.

Where Do Nursing Home Abuse Incidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Not every nursing home in Chicago provides safe and consistent care. Public records show that some facilities have been repeatedly cited for serious deficiencies, fined large amounts, or flagged for chronic quality issues. Here are a few examples:

• Southview Manor – 86 total deficiencies, including 4 serious ones, and more than $883,000 in fines. Nurse turnover is 38%, creating dangerous instability in care.
• Archer Heights Healthcare – 127 deficiencies, 3 serious, with $634,000 in fines. The facility has one of the highest turnover rates in the city at 51.7%.
• Mayfield Care and Rehab – 93 deficiencies, 3 serious, and $416,000 in fines. Nearly half of the nursing staff turned over within a year.
• Aperion Care West Chicago – 54 deficiencies, 3 serious, and $260,000 in fines. Regulators have cited the home for significant lapses in care.
• Bria of Forest Edge – 79 deficiencies, 3 serious, with $407,000 in fines and a 39% staff turnover rate.
• Warren Barr Lincoln Park – 37 deficiencies, 2 serious, and $125,000 in fines. Nurse turnover exceeds 57%, among the worst in Cook County.

What Laws Govern Nursing Home Abuse Claims in Illinois?

Nursing home abuse cases in Chicago are guided by a mix of federal, state, and local laws that establish both resident rights and facility obligations. At the federal level, the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 (part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, OBRA 1987) set national standards for care in facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding. 

Importantly, in the Illinois Supreme Court case Harris v. Manor Healthcare Corp., the court held that nursing home residents and their families can bring private lawsuits for violations of this act, rather than relying solely on regulators like the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to issue fines or penalties.

Other federal protections include the Elder Justice Act of 2010 and the Older Americans Act, both designed to address elder abuse and improve accountability in long-term care.

Illinois law adds further layers of protection. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45/) is one of the most powerful statutes in the country, giving residents the right to sue facilities directly for violations of their care. 

Other state laws include criminal statutes against abuse or neglect of long-term care residents (720 ILCS 5/12-4.4a), the Illinois Abused and Neglected Long-Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act (210 ILCS 30/), which mandates reporting of suspected abuse, and the Adult Protective Services Act (320 ILCS 20/), which provides statewide protection for vulnerable adults.

Locally, Chicago has programs under the Municipal Code (2-50-090 et seq.) that promote reporting and prevention of abuse in nursing homes. These local rules work in tandem with state and federal laws to create multiple avenues of accountability. 

Together, these legal protections ensure that residents of Illinois nursing homes have clear rights and that families can pursue justice when abuse occurs.

How Long Do Nursing Home Residents Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?

In Illinois, most personal injury lawsuits—including those involving nursing home abuse or neglect—must be filed within two years under the state’s statute of limitations (735 ILCS 5/13-202) – Statute of limitations for personal injury (2 years).

If the abuse results in a resident’s death, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/) applies, giving families two years from the date of death to bring a claim.

That said, the clock doesn’t always start ticking immediately. In some cases, the abuse isn’t discovered until much later, such as when hidden medical records are uncovered or a family realizes that pressure sores, fractures, or unexplained injuries were linked to neglect. Illinois law allows for tolling, meaning the deadline can be extended when the harm could not reasonably have been discovered earlier.

Because these rules can be complex, it’s crucial for families to contact a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. Acting quickly gives us the best chance to investigate, preserve evidence, and file within the required time frame so that no rights are lost.

Who Is Legally Liable for Nursing Home Abuse in Chicago?

One of the most important steps in a nursing home abuse lawsuit is determining who is legally responsible for the harm. In many cases, liability starts with the nursing home facility itself. These corporations are required to provide adequate staffing, training, and supervision. When they cut corners or ignore safety rules, they can be held accountable for injuries and fatalities.

Individual staff members may also be liable, particularly in cases involving direct physical abuse, sexual assault, or intentional neglect. Administrators and managers can face liability if they engage in negligent hiring, fail to perform background checks, or ignore repeated complaints about unsafe conditions.

In some cases, third-party contractors are also responsible. For example, medical providers working inside a facility, transportation vendors, or even outside security contractors may share liability if their negligence caused harm to residents.

By investigating every angle, we identify all possible defendants. Holding everyone accountable ensures the strongest possible case and the best chance of securing justice for nursing home residents and their families.

Common Defenses in Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Cases

When we bring a nursing home neglect lawsuit, facilities rarely admit fault. Instead, they raise defenses aimed at avoiding responsibility. One of the most common is to blame the resident’s pre-existing condition, arguing that bed sores, falls, or infections were inevitable because of age or illness. Facilities may also claim contributory negligence, suggesting that the resident caused their own injuries by refusing care or not following instructions.

Another defense is the argument of “no proximate cause.” In other words, the facility admits something went wrong but denies that their neglect directly caused the injury or death. Finally, some nursing homes point to compliance with minimum state or federal standards, arguing that meeting the baseline is enough to shield them from liability.

We challenge the idea that compliance with minimum standards is enough by demonstrating the higher duty of care owed to vulnerable residents. By anticipating these defenses, we build stronger cases that maximize recovery for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect.

How to Strengthen Your Nursing Home Abuse Claim in Chicago

Families often feel powerless when they first suspect neglect or abuse in a nursing home, but taking the right steps early can make a huge difference in the strength of a case. Here are the most important things you can do:

• Document signs of abuse or neglect – Take photos of injuries such as bruises, bed sores, or poor living conditions. Write down dates, times, and staff names whenever possible.
• Report to the Illinois Department of Public Health and Adult Protective Services – Filing an official complaint not only protects your loved one but also creates an investigative record that can support your lawsuit.
• Preserve medical records and facility communications – Keep copies of hospital records, medication logs, and any correspondence with the nursing home. These documents are often the key to proving abuse or neglect.
• Contact a lawyer immediately – An experienced Chicago nursing home abuse attorney can step in to secure evidence, interview witnesses, and begin building a case before records are lost or altered.

How a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Can Help

When a family comes to us after discovering nursing home abuse or neglect, our job is to take immediate action. Here’s how we help:

• Conducting investigations – We gather witness statements, review facility records, and secure facility logs to piece together what really happened.
• Working with medical experts – Our team partners with doctors, nurses, and specialists who can explain how neglect or abuse caused the resident’s injuries or death.
• Filing reports with IDPH and law enforcement – We make sure abuse is not only addressed in civil court but also reported to the IDPH and, when necessary, local police.
• Building strong cases in Cook County courts – From depositions to pre-trial motions, we prepare each case as though it will be tried before a jury, which often leads to stronger settlements.
• Negotiating settlements or going to trial – We push for full and fair compensation. If the nursing home refuses to do what’s right, we have the experience to take the case all the way to a Cook County jury.

FAQs

What are the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect?

Common signs of nursing home abuse include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in mood, weight loss, poor hygiene, untreated infections, and withdrawal from social activities. Families should pay attention to these signs of nursing home elder abuse, as they often point to deeper issues.

What’s the difference between abuse and neglect in Illinois law?

Abuse generally refers to intentional harm, such as physical abuse or sexual assault. Neglect means a failure to provide necessary care, like not assisting with meals, turning residents to prevent pressure sores, medication errors, or failing to supervise known fall or mental illness risks.

Does verbal abuse qualify as a case under the Nursing Home Care Act?

Yes. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act protects residents against emotional abuse. Verbal threats, humiliation, or isolation can support a valid claim.

Who regulates Cook County nursing homes?

The Illinois Department of Public Health oversees Chicago nursing homes. Facilities are subject to inspections, citations, and fines for violations.

How do I report suspected abuse in Chicago?

If you suspect nursing home abuse, you can call the IDPH Nursing Home Hotline at 1-800-252-4343, which is available 24/7. Families can also file complaints directly through IDPH’s online portal. For cases involving elder abuse in the community, the Adult Protective Services program accepts reports at 1-866-800-1409. 

Who can file a nursing home abuse claim in Chicago?

Nursing home patients, family members, or an estate representative can bring a lawsuit against a negligent nursing home facility.

Who can file a wrongful death claim against an Illinois nursing home?

A surviving spouse, child, or other next of kin may file under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act.

What evidence helps prove nursing home neglect and abuse?

Strong evidence includes facility records, photos of injuries, witness testimony, facility violation reports, and correspondence with staff or administrators.

What if my loved one doesn’t have a contract with the nursing home facility?

A contract isn’t required to bring a nursing home neglect lawsuit. Claims are based on statutory rights and duties under Illinois law, including the Nursing Home Care Act.

What does the nursing home neglect lawsuit process include?

The process involves investigation, filing a complaint in Cook County Circuit Court, exchanging evidence during discovery, negotiating with defense counsel, and, if necessary, presenting the case to a jury.

Do all elder abuse cases go to trial?

No. Many are resolved through settlement once strong evidence is presented. Our approach is to prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which often increases settlement value.

How much does a nursing home abuse attorney cost in Chicago?

Our law firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. Our fee is only collected if we secure a recovery on your behalf.

Consult a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near You

If you believe your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, don’t wait to take action. The sooner an investigation begins, the easier it is to preserve evidence, secure facility records, and hold the facility accountable. 

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our Chicago nursing home attorneys have decades of experience standing up for residents and their families in Cook County and across Illinois. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case, answer your questions, and explain your options. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we secure a recovery for you. Contact us for a free consultation today!

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

We also serve clients from Champaign, Naperville, Schaumburg , Springfield and throughout Illinois.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.