Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected in a Cook County nursing home, don’t wait to take action. The experienced Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC can help protect your family’s rights and pursue the justice your loved ones deserve.
Call us today at (312) 586-1700 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
Why Choose Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC?
Choosing the right nursing home abuse attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. At Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, our Chicago personal injury lawyers bring a blend of experience, dedication, and results-driven advocacy to every client we represent. Here’s why families in Chicago trust us to fight for justice:
- Decades of experience. Our law firm has spent years representing victims of nursing home neglect and abuse, building a reputation for thorough, aggressive advocacy.
- Proven track record. We’ve recovered more than $400 million in verdicts and settlements for injured clients, including significant results in nursing home negligence cases.
- Client-focused approach. We understand how emotional and overwhelming these cases can be. Our attorneys provide personalized attention, guiding families with compassion and care.
- Trial-ready representation. While many cases settle, we prepare every case for court. If the facility refuses to take responsibility, we are ready to pursue justice at trial.
- Commitment to accountability. We fight not only for compensation, but also to help prevent future harm to other vulnerable residents by holding facilities fully accountable.
With the help of our seasoned Chicago nursing home abuse attorney, you can have peace of mind knowing our legal team is here to guide you. This should not have happened. We cannot erase that, but we can fight for your loved one to receive justice.
Our Client Review
I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for legal counsel. “
– JESSE S.
Meet Our Founding Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
The founding attorneys—Marc Taxman, Bradley Pollock, Sean Murray, and Gerald Bekkerman—bring decades of experience and a shared commitment to justice. Together, they’ve secured numerous record setting recoveries. Their collective work has shaped legal precedent, earned statewide and national recognition, and established the firm as a trusted advocate for the seriously injured.
Known for taking on complex, high-stakes cases, they combine legal skill, courtroom strength, and a deep dedication to client results. Together, they’ve built a practice rooted in excellence, compassion, and relentless advocacy for the injured.
Our Case Results
$1.5 Million Dollar Settlement
Awarded for the estate of a special needs handicapped adult who died after she suffered numerous falls at her group home without proper medical care and assistance.
$837K Dollar Settlement
Involving an 85-year-old woman that involved a stage 3 bed sore on the sacrum that became infected and necessitated debridement and surgery due to the neglect of the nursing home staff.
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- What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
- Types of Nursing Home Abuse
- Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Illinois
- What To Do If You Suspect Abuse in a Chicago Nursing Home
- Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse?
- How Illinois Nursing Home Laws Protect Your Loved One
- What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Nursing Home Abuse Claim?
- How Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Chicago Can Help You
- Contact Us Today
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is any intentional or negligent act that causes harm to a resident in a long-term care facility. In Illinois, this abuse can take many forms, including physical violence, emotional mistreatment, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect.
Some nursing home staff members may lash out in frustration or act out of malice, while others fail to meet the basic needs of residents due to understaffing or lack of training. No matter the cause, any harm done to a resident can be grounds for a civil lawsuit.
If your loved one has been harmed in a nursing home, they may have a right to compensation under Illinois law.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can happen in various ways. If your loved one is showing physical, emotional, or mental health complications, we strongly encourage you to seek legal guidance in determining if abuse is occurring. Some of the most common types of abuse suffered include:
- Physical abuse, often with signs like bruises or unexplained injuries
- Sexual abuse, often with indications such as unexplained STDs or fear of being left alone
- Emotional trauma and abuse, including from verbal statements you hear, but also from statements your loved one tells you
- Financial abuse, including theft and awarding nursing home staff benefits
- Neglect, often expressed through not getting medication, missing meals, or being left without support for toileting
It can be hard to see your loved ones in these situations. Our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer can help you determine if something is happening and hold those responsible accountable.
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Illinois
Recognizing the warning signs of elder abuse is the first step to protecting your loved one. Family members should trust their instincts and take action if something seems wrong. Here are some of the most common red flags to watch for:
Frequent Falls or Unexplained Injuries
Nursing homes are legally required to prevent avoidable falls through proper supervision and assistance. If a resident suffers repeated falls or unexplained bruises and fractures, it may indicate neglect or a lack of staff oversight.
Bed sores or Pressure Ulcers
Bed sores develop when immobile residents are not regularly repositioned. These painful injuries are often preventable with attentive care, and their presence may be a clear sign of neglect.
Sudden Weight Loss or Dehydration
A drastic drop in weight may suggest poor nutrition, improper medication management, or inadequate staffing. Neglected residents may not receive the food, water, or assistance they need to stay healthy.
Emotional Withdrawal or Fear of Staff
If your loved one seems fearful around certain staff members or avoids eye contact, it could point to emotional, verbal, or even physical abuse. Isolation, silence, or sudden mood changes are also signs that something may be wrong.
Changes in Mental Status
A sudden shift in alertness or awareness may be linked to overmedication or the use of chemical restraints. If your loved one appears confused, disoriented, or sedated without explanation, ask questions.
New Diagnosis of a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
A diagnosis of an STD such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis in a nursing home resident may be a red flag for elder sexual abuse or a serious lapse in supervision.
What To Do If You Suspect Abuse in Chicago Nursing Homes
In situations where you suspect that nursing home abuse is taking place, act immediately. Your primary and first goal should be to seek medical support for your loved one and get them out of a bad situation. You can call 911 if you feel they are facing a medical emergency or you need to file a police report.
Report the situation to the nursing home administration to the Director of Nursing or the patient manager. Also report the situation to the Illinois Department of Public Health, which investigates complaints and operates a 24-hour hotline at (800) 252-4343.
Be sure to document everything including injuries, conditions, and conversations. Take photographs, record statements, and preserve medical records.
Then, hire our Chicago nursing home abuse attorney. No amount of reporting can get you the answers we can. When you hire our legal team, we will help you get the data necessary to build a strong case against those at fault.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse?
More than one party can be legally responsible for abuse or neglect. Individual caregivers, the nursing home facility, supervisors, or even third-party contractors may share liability.
Common scenarios include failure to maintain safe conditions, improper hiring or supervision, and neglecting to provide adequate medical care. A qualified attorney can help identify each liable party and pursue a claim.
How Illinois Nursing Home Laws Protect Your Loved One
Both state and federal laws protect nursing home residents in Illinois. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act sets rigorous standards for quality care and allows harmed residents to take legal action.
Federally, the Nursing Home Reform Act guarantees basic rights, including freedom from abuse, dignity, and access to appropriate medical treatment. These laws form the legal foundation for holding negligent facilities accountable.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Nursing Home Abuse Claim?
Victims of abuse and their families may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, ongoing treatment, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. If the mistreatment results in death, a wrongful death claim may be filed by surviving family members. In some cases, punitive damages are awarded to punish egregious conduct. We will seek the maximum compensation allowed under the law.
How Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Chicago Can Help You
There are various reasons to contact an attorney, but the most important is to facilitate change. We understand the law, including Illinois nursing home laws that govern the type and level of care your loved one is entitled to expect. Our legal team will help you and your family member in several ways:
- Gather evidence and investigate your claims and risks. We will review medical records, consult nursing logs, and obtain documentation of what occurred, when, and how. Our aggressive strategy will mean preserving sensitive evidence quickly before it can be destroyed.
- Seek to file a claim against all parties at fault. This could include the nursing home facility, as well as the individuals in charge of it. We will help you determine who is at fault.
- Document all of your losses to pursue fair compensation. This includes medical expenses, pain and suffering, chronic injuries, and emotional trauma.
- Fight on your loved one’s behalf. You cannot trust that the insurance company ro the nursing home is going to treat you well. Expect us to fight for you.
- Guide you in implementing change. This may mean moving your family member to another treatment center. It could be fighting for fair treatment under Medicare laws.
We know just how challenging this legal matter is because our Chicago nursing home abuse attorney has helped many families get answers. We do not leave you to this process on your own. Instead, we fight for you and for fair and full compensation of all losses owed to you under the law. That starts with a free consultation to discuss your case.
Get Help Now — Contact Our Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
If your loved one has experienced abuse in nursing homes, you are not alone—and you have legal options. Our team at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is ready to help. We offer free consultations and take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
Reach out today to protect your loved one and start the path toward justice. Call us at (312) 586-1700 or fill out our online contact form to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why should I hire a nursing home injury attorney?
Nursing home facilities, which are operated by large companies, usually won’t bother with small, individual complaints. A skilled Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer can cut through the bureaucracy that stops you from helping your loved one.
How much is my lawsuit worth?
The answer depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Related present and future medical costs
- Types of injuries sustained
- Type and duration of abuse
Is it possible to settle an abuse case outside of court?
Many nursing home providers are open to settling abuse and neglect cases without taking the case to court.
What if the nursing home provider does not agree to a settlement?
Our aggressive lawyers will not hesitate to bring your case to a jury. You can count on us to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.
I don’t want my loved one to stay in an abusive nursing home environment. How do I remove him or her from that residential facility?
You should make alternative care arrangements before taking your family member out of a nursing home. A few options you can consider are hiring a live-in nurse, finding a home-health service, or transferring the resident to a more caring nursing facility.
Contact one of our nursing home abuse lawyers in Chicago at (312) 586-1700 to schedule a free consultation.