Chicago Unreasonable Restraint Lawyers

Established Chicago, IL Unreasonable Restraint Attorneys

Elderly Americans do not give up their basic rights when they enter the doors of an assisted living facility.

In fact, nursing home residents enjoy many specific rights under Illinois and federal law, and it is up to family members and attorneys to defend them.

Among the rights of nursing home residents is the right to live comfortably and free from restraint. Hard as it may be to believe, though, unreasonable and unlawful restraints are among the more common forms of nursing home abuse in Illinois.

Unreasonable restraint happens for a number of reasons…

Unreasonable restraint happens for a number of reasons — sometimes out of genuine confusion about medical necessity and, on other occasions, as an act cruelty or an abuse of power. Whatever the reason, unjustified restraint is a violation of the resident’s rights and may even constitute battery or false imprisonment under the law.

There are, however, some specific circumstances under which nursing homes are permitted to restrain their residents. These circumstances are extremely limited and the measure of restraint should be reasonable, careful, and minimal.

What Constitutes Restraint

Before we begin distinguishing reasonable restraint from unreasonable restraint, it might be helpful to understand what we mean by “restraint” to begin with.

Restraints may be physical or chemical in nature. Threats, harassment, or intimidation may also constitute a restraint.

Physical restraints
physical-restraints
  • This include : Arm and hand restraints, Cushions or vests, Unmovable lap trays, Guardrails on beds and Tightly tucked-in sheets and Any show or application of force
Chemical restraints
chemical-restraints
  • This include : Sleeping aids, Mood stabilizers, “Tranquilizers”, Additional doses of a patient’s normal medication, Depriving a patient of medication, Any other chemical or pharmaceutical agent used to restrain a patient.

Examples of Unreasonable Restraint of Nursing Home Residents

There are many kinds of unreasonable restraints. Common examples include:

  • Painful restraints
  • Restraints that cause bedsores, bruises, ulcers, or lacerations
  • Restraints that deprive patients of social interaction
  • Restraints that worsen injuries or cause decreased muscle tone or coordination
  • Any humiliating restraint
  • Any restraint motivated by cruelty, abuse, or neglect
  • Any restraint imposed as punishment
  • Any restraint that prevents a patient from accessing medication, food, drink, or medical attention
  • Restraints that are designed to keep the resident imprisoned within the nursing home
  • Restraints that are not removed after their necessity has expired
  • Restraints that do not achieve the purpose for which they were applied
  • Any restraint that violates patient rights or exposes the patient to harm

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the federal rights of a nursing home resident?

Residents of facilities that participate in the Medicare program enjoy the following federal rights:

  • Freedom from verbal, sexual, physical, and mental abuse.
  • Freedom from physical or chemical restraints, except restraints imposed for medical reasons or to insure the safety of the patient or others. Restraints imposed for reasons of discipline or convenience are illegal and are considered abuse.
  • The right to be treated with dignity and respect.
  • The right to manage your own finances or to appoint someone else to do so.
  • The right to privacy as long as it doesn’t interfere with the health, safety, or rights of others.
  • The right to use one’s personal belongings as long as it doesn’t interfere with the health, safety, or rights of others.
  • The right to information about your medical condition and any treatments.
  • The right to refuse treatment (as long as you have the mental capacity to understand the nature and consequences of such a refusal).
  • The right to use your own doctor.
  • The right to set your own daily schedule.
  • The right to as much independence as your medical condition allows you.
  • The right to a safe and comfortable environment.

Most of these rights also apply under state law, even for nursing homes that do not participate in the Medicare program.

Can I sue the nursing home even if my loved one has no written contract with them?

Yes, you can, because human rights don’t need contractual support. If you were hit by a car, for example, you wouldn’t have to prove that you had a contract with the driver not to hit you in order to win a lawsuit against him or her – you could sue under general tort law principles, just as you can in cases of abuse and neglect in a nursing facility.

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act defines the rights under state law that your loved one enjoys with or without a contractual arrangement with the nursing home. Federal regulations also apply if the institution participates in the Medicare program. Proving that the facility violated an applicable regulation will go a long way toward establishing their liability for compensatory damages. In cases of outrageous conduct, you might even be able to collect punitive damages against the nursing home. Of course, if there is a contract, a contract claim could be added to other claims arising from the abuse or neglect.

Where do I file a complaint against nursing home abuse or neglect?

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is the state agency responsible for enforcing the law in favor of the more than 100,000 nursing home residents residing in over 1,200 facilities in Illinois. The IDPH licenses these facilities, conducts inspections at least annually, and cooperates with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for eligibility to participate in federal payment reimbursement programs.

The IDPH maintains a Nursing Home Hotline (800-252-4343) for complaints. Upon receiving a complaint of abuse or neglect, the IDPH’s Bureau of Long Term Care may launch an investigation. Although it does not participate in lawsuits, it can sanction or even close down homes that violate the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act or federal regulations. The results of its investigation can be used as evidence in a civil lawsuit against a home or an employee.