Elder Law

New Report: How the Civil Justice System Protects Elderly Americans

By Levin & Perconti

The American Association for Justice released a comprehensive new report today entitled, ?Standing Up For Seniors: How the Civil Justice System Protects Elderly Americans.? This valuable new document offers a great overview of the specific instances in which many seniors are victimized and the ways that attorneys, like our Chicago nursing home lawyers at Levin & Perconti, can help vindicate their rights.

As the report indicates, many people are unaware that a majority of nursing homes are run as for-profit businesses, often part of large chain facilities owned by single corporations. Unfortunately, the drive for profit typically means that senior care is sacrificed. In many ways the need to cut expenses automatically sets up many of these facilities for negligent care. For example, for-profit facilities have 32 percent fewer nurses than their non-profit counterparts which has led to 47 percent more deficiencies in elder care at the business driven homes.

There have always been some problems with the quality of care at many nursing homes. However, as this report documents, the problem is actually on the rise. In the last eight years, between 2000 and 2008, there has been a 22% increase in breaches of elder care that are deemed likely to cause death or serious bodily harm to residents. The problem is not limited to only a few bas facilities, however, as over 90% of nursing homes have been found guilty of at least one violation.

The best way to help stem the tide of abuse, neglect, and mistake is to remain vigilant about enforcing nursing home laws. Rules and regulations are in place that demand high quality care be provided at all of these facilities. It is vital that we properly enforce those standards. Enforcement requires a combination of strong legal advocacy and vigilant community members, willing to seek legal help when they suspect violations have occurred at facilities nearby.

Over the next several days, we will take a closer look at this helpful new report and publish a series of posts that examine the specific concerns raised in this legal analysis of senior care.

Please Click Here to view the full copy of this report.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on October 07, 2010 (boomark / email).