This Chicago personal injury law blog has looked at some of the horrific problems that can occur when nursing home residents suffer from neglect and abuse. From bed sores and falls to mental trauma and assault, the harm that some nursing home residents must endure while under the watch of care facilities is tragic, heartbreaking and, in some cases, violent. Nursing home residents do, however, have legal rights. Even though they are not living in their own homes, they deserve and have the rights to the respect and duty of care expected of nursing homes and care facilities.
For example, nursing home residents may not be denied access to their friends and loved ones, and unless doing so could harm them, they may also have personal items with them while in their care facilities. Every nursing home resident has the right to maintain confidentiality over his medical information and can choose not to have treatments selected for his care.
Regardless of how a nursing home resident pays for his stay he has the right to be treated like anyone else in his facility. He may make a grievance if he feels that his care is deficient, and he may not be retaliated against as a result of making such a complaint. He maintains his right to privacy while under the care of the facility and he in no way may be expected to endure abuse or neglect.
There are many other rights that nursing home residents have when they are under the care of third parties. Unfortunately, some residents either cannot or do not assert their rights in damaging situations. As a result, serious injuries and death can result from nursing home abuse and neglect at the hands of care givers. Nursing home residents do suffer avoidable harm despite their rights to adequate care and respect.
