Who can take legal action in nursing home neglect or abuse cases?

Nursing home patients can pursue a claim if they were injured because of neglect or abuse. However, patients may be killed due to nursing home misconduct or may be unable to act on their own behalf.

If a death occurs, close family members, including a surviving spouse or child, may be able to make a wrongful death claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. If the patient is alive but unable to pursue his or her own legal claim, then the patient’s representative will pursue legal action. To learn more about neglect and abuse cases involving nursing homes, please visit our page on Wrongful Death in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases.