Improperly Treated Chronic Illness in Nursing Homes Can Lead to Wrongful Death

 Posted on January 30, 2025 in Neglect

Older people are more susceptible to chronic illnesses and debilitating health conditions than most of the population. Nursing homes have a duty to take care of their medically fragile residents, but sometimes, the staff falls short of this responsibility. When serious conditions go untreated by the staff, casualties can occur.

If you have lost a loved one to an improperly treated chronic illness at a nursing home, you may have a strong case for a wrongful death claim. At Schwartz Injury Law, we have the resources to pursue a lawsuit against negligent nursing homes, making sure that the guilty parties are held responsible for their wrongdoing. Our Illinois nursing home death attorneys have secured numerous victories on behalf of elderly residents and their families, including a $400,000 settlement for the wrongful death of an elderly man with dementia in a care facility.

Diabetes

Residents with diabetes require around-the-clock care to keep their blood sugar levels within a safe range. If a resident does not receive a regular intake of insulin, the resulting spike in blood sugar could come with serious, possibly fatal complications. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can increase the risk of infection and leave the resident dehydrated. In extreme cases, hyperglycemia can induce diabetic comas.

On the other hand, too much insulin can result in dangerously low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. This can also result from not eating enough or increased physical activity. If left untreated, hypoglycemia may cause seizures and sudden loss of consciousness, which can be fatal if an elderly resident falls on his or her head. Our attorneys can check a resident’s medical records to see if his or her blood sugar was being closely monitored.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Degenerative brain diseases are cruel. Over time, Alzheimer’s and symptoms of dementia can strip away a person’s higher functioning to a point where he or she requires assistance with basic tasks. If a nursing home is not equipped to deal with residents suffering from dementia, the residents could be placed at risk of severe injury or death.

Wandering and elopement are known to occur when residents with dementia are left unattended. Wandering refers to a resident walking around the facility unsupervised, while elopement refers to a resident leaving the facility unnoticed. A resident left alone for too long can easily get hurt in a fall or fracture, and by the time medical personnel arrive, it may be too late.

In many cases, dementia and Alzheimer’s accidents are a result of understaffing, as a concerning amount of nursing homes do not have enough employees to watch over residents.  At Schwartz Injury Law, we can take action to hold nursing facilities liable for any deaths caused by improperly treated dementia.

Heart Disease

Patients with cardiovascular issues are at greater risk of heart attacks or heart failure, either of which can be immediately life-threatening. A lack of education or training in nursing home staff can lead to the underlying causes of these conditions going unaddressed as the disease continues to worsen.

Many nursing facilities do not meet the federal standard of having a registered nurse on-site at all times, leaving the employees underequipped to deal with heart disease. If a resident does not get regular exercise or is not fed a healthy diet, the chance of a heart attack increases. Sitting or lying down for long periods can aggravate existing heart conditions, and it is the staff’s responsibility to keep the residents moving.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we can file a wrongful death claim against nursing homes for neglecting the heart health of their residents.

High Blood Pressure

As we age, our blood pressure naturally rises as our arteries become more rigid. Hypertension is a condition that refers to dangerously high blood pressure, often referred to as a "silent killer" since its symptoms are rarely obvious. If not addressed, hypertension can lead to a number of complications, including heart attack or stroke.

To prevent these complications, nursing homes should check the blood pressure of the residents on a regular basis, make sure they receive a healthy diet, and administer appropriate medication as needed. Low-sodium foods and physical activity can alleviate hypertension, keeping the body in healthy shape. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can help you investigate a nursing home’s negligence in treating high blood pressure, checking to see if preventative measures were taken.

Investigating a Nursing Home

You may be intimidated by the idea of filing a wrongful death claim against a nursing home. After all, many nursing homes belong to larger companies or corporations that will do anything to avoid liability. A skilled personal injury lawyer can act as a devout advocate for your family, providing legal advice and representation to help you get justice.

Only the personal representative of your loved one’s estate can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois – that representative will either be named in a will or chosen by the court. To build a foundation for a wrongful death claim, you will have to prove that the nursing home acted negligently in its duty of care to your loved one. Our attorneys can gather evidence to support this claim, such as witness statements, surveillance cameras, and other hard proof.

Compensation for a wrongful death claim falls to the next of kin, typically the surviving spouse or children of the decedent. We will aggressively pursue a settlement that redresses you for your loss, and if the nursing home refuses to cooperate, we are more than prepared to take your case to trial.

Meet With a Chicago, IL Nursing Home Neglect Attorney

When staff at a care facility mishandle the delicate health of their residents, people get hurt.

If you have lost a loved one in a nursing home to neglect or improper treatment, your family may be entitled to significant compensation. At Schwartz Injury Law, we take all allegations of abuse and neglect seriously.
Even if you are not sure whether or not your loved one received improper medical care, we can still help. We offer free consultations where you can get insights from a Cook County, IL nursing home neglect lawyer. We bill clients on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay if we secure compensation on your behalf. To get started today, call us at 312-535-4625 for a free consultation.