How Do I Know If My Parent’s Injury Was the Nursing Home’s Fault?

 Posted on June 17, 2025 in Nursing Home Neglect

Illinois nursing homes house over 100,000 residents. These long-term care facilities are required by law to provide residents with a safe environment, proper medical care, and help with daily needs. If your parent was injured while in a nursing home, it is natural for you to want to know why the injury happened. Some are unavoidable. However, others happen because the facility failed to provide proper care.

When a nursing home fails to meet its duties and your parent gets hurt as a result, you may be able to hold the facility responsible. Neglect and abuse in nursing homes happen far too often, but our dedicated Schaumburg, IL personal injury attorney can take appropriate action on behalf of you and your parent.

What Injuries Are Common in Nursing Homes?

Many nursing home residents are elderly. They may have cognitive issues, serious health conditions, mobility impairments, and fragile skin and bones. That means that an incident that may not hurt a younger person can severely injure these elders.

Sadly, elderly patients are often unable to defend themselves against abuse. This abuse may involve hitting patients, verbal insults or humiliation, unnecessary restraints or confinement, or even sexual acts. Any form of nursing home abuse or neglect can harm residents in many ways.

Falls happen frequently in nursing homes, often because of inadequate supervision or assistance. These accidents can cause broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and cuts. Other common injuries include bedsores, bruises, and infections. Medication errors and malnutrition can lead to serious health conditions.

Not all injuries are physical. Abused and neglected elders can also suffer mentally and emotionally. When an injury is preventable and the result of negligence or an intentional act, you could have grounds for a personal injury claim.

What Warning Signs Could Indicate Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

Elderly nursing home patients may struggle to communicate clearly. You might not be able to ask your parent how an injury happened. Not every injury means the nursing home did something wrong. However, certain signs may point to neglect or abuse. These include:

• Sudden weight loss
• Unexplained bruises or other injuries
• Withdrawal
• Personality or emotional changes
• Poor hygiene
• Missing possessions

You will probably ask nursing home staff or administrators about your parent’s injuries. If they cannot explain how an injury happened or if their stories keep changing, it could be a red flag that indicates abuse or neglect. It is also concerning if staff seem rushed, overwhelmed, or untrained. Understaffing is a common issue in many facilities, often leading to preventable mistakes and accidents that injure residents.

What Should I Do If I Think My Parent Is Suffering from Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse?

If you believe a nursing home is neglecting or abusing your parent, it is important to act quickly. Start by asking questions and requesting copies of medical records and incident reports. Take photos of any visible injuries and make detailed notes about your observations and concerns.

We can assist with your investigation. If we find that the facility’s negligence contributed to your parent’s injury, we can pursue compensation. Damages in these cases may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other related losses.

Speak to a Determined DuPage County, IL Nursing Home Neglect Attorney

Elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes are inexcusable. If your parent was injured as a result, contact Grauer & Kriegel, LLC online or at 847-240-9010 today. Our knowledgeable Des Plaines, IL personal injury lawyer can explain your legal options during a free consultation.