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Caregiver abuse is a serious problem occurring in Illinois long-term care centers, where many cases go unreported or undetected. Failing to investigate, report or document these incidents is often due to the victim’s inability to speak out or their fear of retaliation against the perpetrator who caused their harm. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers represent injured, mistreated and abused patients who reside at Illinois long-term care (LTC) facilities like Clearbrook – Wright Home.
Clearbrook – Wright Home
This Center is a 16-certified-bed Long Term Care Facility providing services to residents of Gurnee and Lake County, Illinois. The ‘for profit’ Home is located at:
34377 North Almond Road
Gurnee, Illinois 60031
847-855-9450
The facility provides personalized residential and clinical services to children and adults at numerous locations across the Chicago metropolitan area.
Gurnee LTC Home Resident Safety Concerns
Detailed information on each long-term care facility in the state can be obtained on government-run websites including the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH – ltc.dph.illinois.gov). These regulatory agencies routinely update their list of safety concerns, health violations, incident inquiries, filed complaints and opened investigations on nursing homes statewide.
The Lake County neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have found numerous safety concerns, violations and deficiencies at this long-term care facility that include:
- Failure to Investigate and Report Any Allegation or Incident Involving Abuse or Neglect in the Facility
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 06/02/2012, a notation was made by a state investigator concerning the facility's failure to "Ensure that all allegations of abuse are reported immediately to the Administrator.” The failure by the nursing staff and administration involved a resident who functions “in the severe range of Mental Retardation.”
According to the 05/09/2011 Investigation Report, a Registered Nurse “was unable to provide specific dates and time for the allegation she was making, other than [to indicate that] a Direct Support Person (DSP) verbally abused [the resident] on 05/06/2011 during the morning shift.” The Registered Nurse also stated that “she had observed the DSP tell the resident “that he had better be in his bed when she checked on him.” The nurse also stated that the resident “often gets out of bed throughout the night so the staff has to assist him to get back into bed throughout the night and the early morning.”
The Registered Nurse stated that “during one of her checks, she overheard [the DSP] tell the resident when she found him in his bed that it was good he was in his bed because if he wasn’t, she would ‘have to bust [his] head in’.” The report documents under ‘Recommendations’ that the facility Administrator will address the Registered Nurse’s “failure to report a concern of verbal abuse within the mandatory time frame.”
During a 01/01/2011 interview with the facility’s Administrator, it was revealed that the Registered Nurse “resigned and is no longer here at the facility.” The Administrator also stated that “she received the complaint on 05/09/2011, and that [the Registered Nurse] should have immediately notified her at the time that the incident occurred.” The Administrator was asked if the Registered Nurse “failed the policy to report" to which the Administrator replied “Yes.” The investigator noted that the actions of the nursing staff and the facility failed to follow their April 2010 Policy that reads in part:
“Any person witnessing or observing any evidence of abuse or neglect of a client must report it immediately to the Administrator or the Administrator Designee.”
- Failure to Right and Submit an Incident Report Involving an Injury of Unknown Origin to Ensure the Rights of the Resident Are Protected
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 05/20/2013, a state investigator noted a deficient practice during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility's failure to "report to the Administrator an injury of unknown origin impacting one resident.” The state investigator reviewed the 2:00 PM, 02/02/2013 Nurse’s Notes that revealed that a resident “has a lump on the right upper forehead.”
The state investigator conducted an interview with the Director who was asked about the Injury/Event Report revealing the resident had a lump that was documented at 2:50 PM on 05/15/2015. The Director revealed that there was “no Incident Report for the lump.” Because of that, it was noted that the actions of the nursing staff an Administrator failed to follow the facility’s revised 05/11/2011 Incident Reporting Protocol that reads in part:
“Injuries of unknown origin (unwitnessed injuries) requiring only minor in-house first aid… Immediately write and submit an incident report…”
Gurnee Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you, or your family, believe that your loved one was harmed by employees, caregivers, visitors or other residents at Clearbrook – Wright Home, call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers now. For years, our Gurnee attorneys have successfully resolved Illinois long-term care home abuse, neglect, and mistreatment cases. Our experience can ensure a positive outcome in your claim for compensation against those who caused your loved one harm.
We encourage you to contact our Lake County abuse law offices by calling (888) 424-5757 today to schedule your free, comprehensive recompense case review. No upfront fees are necessary because our law firm accepts every personal injury case, wrongful death lawsuit, and nursing home abuse/neglect claim for compensation through a contingency fee agreement.
Sources:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6013296FIK05042016.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6013296FA07232015.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6013296FID07232015.PDF
