Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Illinois Lawyers For Nursing Home Abuse Reviewed by Julie Rivers, MBA Eldercare Advocate & Expert Home / Nursing Home Legal Advice / Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer / Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Quick Answer An Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer helps families take legal action after mistreatment in nursing homes or other care facilities. These attorneys work to secure justice and financial compensation, helping to cover medical expenses, improve care options, and hold negligent facilities accountable. Find out if you can work with a top Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer right now. Get a Free Case Review How Can an Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help Me? An Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can hold negligent nursing facilities and staff members accountable for the harm they caused. Nursing home abuse and neglect victims and their families often endure lasting trauma. In the most severe cases, the impact can be devastating and life-altering. Lawyers can file nursing home lawsuits to pursue justice for victims. Did You KnowIn 2025, a staff member at Marklund Hyde Center in Geneva, Illinois, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting a non-verbal resident who later gave birth. The Nursing Home Abuse Center works with skilled Illinois attorneys who are part of our national network of experienced nursing home law firms. Our legal partners have recovered over $318 million for victims of nursing home neglect and abuse nationwide, including families in Illinois. They strive to make filing your nursing home lawsuit as stress-free as possible. Get a free case review right now to see if you can get help from a skilled Illinois nursing home abuse attorney near you. Get a Free Case Review by Fight back against nursing home abuse and neglect — start now with a free case review. Start My Free Case Reviewor call (855) 264-6310 Do I Need an Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer? You may need one when harm goes beyond normal aging and points to a failure in care. What These Lawyers Do Handle abuse and neglect, including bedsores, dehydration, falls, and physical, financial, or sexual harm Focus on serious care breakdowns like medication errors, malnutrition, untreated infections, restraint misuse, and lack of supervision Enforce the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, which protects residents’ safety, dignity, and rights Work on contingency, meaning no upfront cost and no fee unless compensation is recovered How to Find the Right Help Look for attorneys who clearly focus on nursing home abuse and neglect in Illinois. Use trusted state resources and ombudsman programs for guidance. Start with a case review to learn what qualifies and what matters. When to Contact One If you see bedsores, repeated infections, sudden weight loss, unexplained injuries, unsafe falls, or missing money, it is time to act. Illinois generally limits personal injury claims to 2 years. Waiting can cost your family the chance to hold a facility accountable. Call the Nursing Home Abuse Center right now at (855) 264-6310 or Click to Live Chat with a member of our team. Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Settlements and Verdicts Nursing home settlements and trial verdicts offer compensation to families after abuse or neglect disrupts their lives. Many of these cases result in awards of over $1 million. Our legal partners secured over $1.12 million for a Chicago nursing home resident who suffered severe bedsores and a kidney infection from neglect. Recent Illinois nursing home settlements and verdicts include: $4.1 million for an 85-year-old woman injured by medication mistakes $1.4 million to the family of a 79-year-old who died from physical abuse $1.3 million for the wrongful death of a 74-year-old beaten by a roommate $1.2 million to the family of an 82-year-old who died from severe bedsores $1.5 million for a dementia patient who ingested poison from an unlocked closet $1.7 million for a nursing home fall leading to a hip fracture $2.3 million for nursing home sexual abuse of two women by a staff member Most nursing home lawsuits are settled out of court. However, if a settlement isn’t reached, the case may proceed to trial, where the lawyer will fight to secure a strong verdict. If you or a loved one was harmed in a nursing facility anywhere in the state, a skilled Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to help. Our attorneys have helped many families get the highest payouts possible. Call (855) 264-6310 right now or Click to Live Chat with one of our caring patient advocates. High-Risk Illinois Nursing Homes (2026) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains a Special Focus Facility (SFF) list of nursing homes with a history of serious, repeated care violations. These facilities have ongoing problems that inspections show were not consistently fixed, so CMS monitors them more closely and may take enforcement action. These Illinois nursing homes are on the most recent SFF list: Arcadia Care Peoria Heights (Peoria Heights) Arcadia Care Watseka (Watseka) City View Multicare Center (Cicero) El Paso Health Care Center (El Paso) Examples of Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois Real reports from across the state show how quickly care can fail when facilities are understaffed, poorly trained, or left unchecked. Belhaven Nursing Home (Chicago): A resident who could not walk after a stroke fell during a transfer. The facility has faced repeated complaints to the Illinois Department of Public Health for fall prevention failures, abuse concerns, and poor infection control. Smith Village (Chicago): Staff failed to report a serious fall that later led to a resident’s death. Inspectors found the facility did not take steps to prevent similar incidents. Shapiro Developmental Center (Kankakee): A former nursing assistant exposed alleged abuse of residents with disabilities. Disturbing video footage showed staff placing pillowcases over residents’ heads, strangling them, and denying them food or bathroom access. These are not rare events. They show how easily basic care can collapse. When abuse or neglect causes harm, an Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can help families hold a facility accountable. Illinois Elder Abuse Statistics Here are key Illinois elder abuse statistics from the most recent Illinois Department on Aging Annual Report: 23,378 total cases were reported to Adult Protective Services (APS). The Senior HelpLine completed 6,542 abuse and neglect intakes. Ombudsman staff made 15,106 visits to long-term care facilities. Senior legal aid providers delivered 40,674 hours of nursing home legal services. Types of Cases Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Handle Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers take on cases involving serious harm in nursing facilities, including long-term care and assisted living communities. If you suspect that a facility or its staff is providing unacceptable care, an Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer may be needed to protect your rights. Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers can help with these situations: Broken bones that should have been prevented Bruising or bleeding around the genitals, indicating sexual abuse Dehydration or weight loss caused by malnutrition Falls that should have been avoided Inadequate diabetic care Injuries from bedrails malfunctioning or being misused Lack of proper medical care for infections Medication errors or prescribing unnecessary medications Nursing home medical malpractice Physical or chemical restraints Serious injuries that go untreated by health care providers Staffing issues that cause harm (understaffing or lack of staff training) Preventable pressure ulcers, especially stage 4 bedsores If you or a loved one suffered any form of neglect or abuse in an Illinois nursing home, don’t wait to take action. Get a Free Case Review by Fight back against nursing home abuse and neglect — start now with a free case review. Start My Free Case Reviewor call (855) 264-6310 Working With an Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Experienced Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers strive to simplify your role in the lawsuit process. They handle all legal work for you and ensure your family’s rights are protected. A skilled Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can: Provide a free consultation: Top Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers offer free case reviews to determine if you may be able to take legal action. Investigate the nursing home: Your legal team carefully evaluates the details of your case to see if the facility, owners, administrators, or staff caused harm. Collect evidence: Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers gather photos, medical records and bills, expert opinions, and more to build the strongest possible case. File the lawsuit: Your lawyer will ensure your lawsuit is filed correctly and within your case’s specific deadlines. Negotiate on your behalf: They will work to secure the highest possible Illinois nursing home settlement without you having to set foot in court. Represent you in court: If a settlement isn’t reached, they will take your case to trial to continue fighting for your family. Hiring an experienced Illinois nursing home abuse attorney lets you focus on your loved one’s recovery and finding a trustworthy facility. With your attention on helping your family, your legal team will work to secure the justice and financial compensation you deserve. Download our free attorney checklist to help you understand what to look for in a Florida nursing home abuse lawyer for your family. Free Nursing Home Abuse Attorney ChecklistDownload our free checklist for the questions that matter most when choosing a nursing home lawyer.Get Your Free Checklist Now When Should I Hire an Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer? You should consider hiring an Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as you suspect abuse or neglect has occurred. “You do not need to have proof before speaking with a nursing home neglect lawyer. If you’re concerned that something is wrong, that’s enough to start the conversation.” – Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Ricky LeBlanc It’s important to act promptly because there are strict deadlines for filing lawsuits, known as statutes of limitations. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse or neglect is usually 2 years. An experienced Illinois nursing home abuse attorney can make sure your case is filed before your deadline. Don’t wait to learn about your legal options. Worried About Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?When you're ready to act, here’s what to expect:1. Spot Red Flags Before It’s Too Late Look for bedsores, confusion, weight loss, fear, or silence. 2. Reach Out to Our Team, Day or Night Speak with a trained advocate who listens and understands. 3. Our Legal Partners File Your Lawsuit We handle the paperwork and figure out who’s responsible. 4. You Get Help — and Money If We Win Receive financial compensation and get justice. Start My Free Case Review How to Find the Best Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Finding the right Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer is crucial for ensuring a successful outcome. Learn more about the qualities to look for in an Illinois nursing home abuse attorney below. No Upfront Costs Generally, the best Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs. You only pay legal fees if your case results in financial compensation. Your Illinois nursing home abuse attorney will receive a percentage of any money they secure for you. Top nursing home law firms offer free case reviews, so there are no out-of-pocket fees to find out if you may qualify to take legal action. Experience With Nursing Home Abuse Cases Look for Illinois lawyers with a history of handling similar types of nursing home abuse cases. Nursing home residents are often frail and at an increased risk for injuries, falls, and infections. This makes it challenging to prove that harm could have been avoided. Skilled Illinois nursing home lawyers know how to gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case linking harm to negligence in nursing facilities. History of Winning Nursing Home Abuse Compensation Experienced Illinois nursing home abuse attorneys have a proven track record of success in securing compensation for nursing home abuse. They can determine how much compensation your family needs and deserves to recover from abuse. The Nursing Home Abuse Center partners with a nationwide network of top lawyers who have recovered over $318 million for nursing home abuse and neglect. Works at a Reputable Nursing Home Abuse Law Firm Your Illinois nursing home abuse attorney should work at a well-known nursing home law firm. This means they have access to expert witnesses, paralegals, and other legal resources to achieve the best results for their clients. What Areas Do Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Serve? The Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers in our network can help families across the state. Here are some areas Illinois nursing home abuse attorneys serve: Addison Albion Amboy Aurora Ava Bartlett Barry Batavia Belleville Berwyn Bloomington Bolingbrook Bourbonnais Breese Buffalo Grove Bushnell Cahokia Canton Carbondale Carpentersville Carrollton Carol Stream Champaign Charleston Chicago Clinton Crystal Lake Danville Decatur DeKalb Des Plaines Dixon Downers Grove Du Quoin Edwardsville Effingham Elgin Elmhurst Eureka Evanston Fairfield Flora Freeport Galesburg Galva Geneva Glen Ellyn Glenview Golconda Greenville Hanover Park Harrisburg Havana Henry Herrin Hillsboro Hoffman Estates Homer Glen Jacksonville Joliet Kankakee La Salle Lawrenceville Lewistown Lincoln Litchfield Lombard Macomb Marion Marshall Mascoutah Mattoon Metropolis Moline Monmouth Monticello Morris Morrison Mount Carmel Mount Prospect Mount Sterling Mount Vernon Murphysboro Nashville Naperville Normal Oak Lawn Oak Park Olney Orland Park Oregon Ottawa Palatine Pekin Peoria Petersburg Pittsfield Plainfield Pontiac Princeton Quincy Red Bud Robinson Rock Island Rockford Romeoville Rushville Salem Savanna Schaumburg Shelbyville Skokie Sparta Springfield St. Charles Streamwood Taylorville Tinley Park Urbana Vandalia Waukegan Wheaton Wheeling Zipcodes: 60002 60004 60005 60007 60008 60010 60013 60015 60016 60018 60101 60102 60103 60104 60106 60107 60108 60110 60111 60115 60201 60202 60203 60204 60208 60209 60290 60301 60302 60303 60301 60302 60303 60304 60305 60306 60307 60308 60309 60310 60401 60402 60403 60404 60406 60407 60408 60409 60410 60411 60501 60502 60503 60504 60505 60506 60507 60510 60511 60512 60601 60602 60603 60604 60605 60606 60607 60608 60609 60610 60701 60706 60707 60712 60714 60715 60716 60717 60718 60719 60801 60802 60803 60804 60805 60806 60807 60808 60809 60810 60901 60902 60910 60911 60912 60913 60914 60915 60916 60917 Show More Our network includes experienced lawyers ready to assist, no matter where you live in Illinois. If your area is not listed, call a member of our team right now at (855) 264-6310. Get Help from an Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer The Nursing Home Abuse Center team understands that protecting your loved one is your top priority. We believe that having the right Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can greatly improve the outcome of your case. We partner with some of the best nursing home lawyers across the nation. Together, they’ve helped families recover over $318 million for nursing home abuse and neglect, including in Illinois. Experienced Illinois nursing home abuse attorneys can guide you through the legal process, tirelessly fight for your family’s rights, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us right now at (855) 264-6310 or get a free case review to find out how we can help your family after nursing home neglect or elder abuse in Illinois. Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer FAQsHow long do you have to sue a nursing home in Illinois?The statute of limitations for nursing home abuse and neglect cases in Illinois is 2 years from the date of the injury or death. Working with an experienced Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer means they can make sure your case is filed before this deadline. Call the Nursing Home Abuse Center at (855) 264-6310 to see if you can work with a top lawyer right now. What is the average settlement for nursing home neglect in Illinois?Nationally, the average nursing home neglect payout is about $400,000 in cases of severe and preventable harm. However, some Illinois families have received $1 million or more. The value of a nursing home settlement depends on the harm involved and whether it could have been prevented. An experienced Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can review your case and explain what it may be worth. Call us at (855) 264-6310 to take the first steps or get a free case review right now. Do I need an elder abuse attorney in Illinois?Yes, if you or a loved one was harmed in a nursing facility in Illinois, you may need an elder abuse attorney. An Illinois elder abuse attorney can: Assess your situation Protect your rights Seek justice and compensation Remember, if the harm occurred in Illinois but you live in another state, you still need an Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer to navigate the state’s legal system. How do I find an Illinois nursing home lawyer near me?The Nursing Home Abuse Center can connect you with a top Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer if you qualify. Call us at (855) 264-6310 right now or get a free case review right now to find out if we can help. How do I report nursing home abuse in Illinois?If there’s an immediate threat, call 911 for your local police. To report nursing home abuse in Illinois: Call the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH): Dial 1-800-252-4343, available 24/7, to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation. File a complaint online: Visit the IDPH website to submit a complaint form. You can choose to remain anonymous. Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Reach out to your local nursing home ombudsman for help and advocacy. Consult an attorney: If you suspect abuse, consider speaking with an Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer. These steps help ensure the safety and rights of nursing home residents. What type of abuse is most common in nursing homes?The most common type of abuse in nursing homes is neglect. This can include inadequate care, failure to meet basic needs, and lack of proper attention to residents’ health and well-being. Illinois nursing home abuse lawyers may be able to help you if you believe a loved one has been seriously neglected in a care facility. Call a member of our team at (855) 264-6310 right now to see if a top lawyer can help you. Nursing Home Abuse Support TeamLast modified: January 24, 2026Reviewed by:Julie Rivers, MBAEldercare Advocate & ExpertFact-CheckedEditorJulie Rivers is an eldercare advocate with over 15 years of dedicated service to victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Her journey in this field became deeply personal when she assumed the role of an unpaid caregiver during her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Written by:The Nursing Home Abuse Center TeamThe Nursing Home Abuse Center (NHAC) was founded to bring justice to those affected by nursing home and elder abuse. Our mission is to educate and empower victims of abuse and their families to take a stand against this unlawful mistreatment. We work to return dignity back to those who have been broken down by nursing home abuse and neglect. View Sources ABC7 Chicago. (2024). Chicago man charged in Geneva nursing home sex abuse after resident with disabilities gives birth. Retrieved from https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-man-isaiah-fields-charged-in-sex-abuse-at-geneva-marklund-nursing-home-after-resident-with-disabilities-gives-birth/14801404/. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). (2026). Nursing homes. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-safety-standards/certification-compliance/nursing-homes. Illinois Department on Aging. (2026). Illinois Department on Aging Annual Report FY2025. Retrieved from https://ilaging.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/aging/resources/newsandpublications/publications/documents/fy2025-idoa-annual-report.pdf. Illinois Department on Aging. (n.d.). APS statistics. Retrieved from https://ilaging.illinois.gov/protectionadvocacy/aps-statistics.html. Illinois Department on Aging. (n.d.). Reporting abuse in long-term care facilities. Retrieved from https://ilaging.illinois.gov/programs/ltcombudsman/ombuds-reporting.html. Molina, T. (2023). Disabled residents allegedly abused at Chicago area developmental center. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/disabled-residents-shapiro-center-abuse/. Paddock, B. (2023). ‘It’s a Human Dignity Issue.’ Retrieved from https://southsideweekly.com/its-a-human-dignity-issue-data-reveals-racial-economic-disparities-in-access-to-quality-nursing-home-care-across-chicago/. Sokolove Law. (2026). Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer. Retrieved from https://www.sokolovelaw.com/locations/illinois/nursing-home-abuse/.