Q: Do I have a case in that after filing for Medicaid Mother`s health rapidly failed, ending in death at a nursing home?
The cause for mother`s death was reported as failure to thrive and dementia. She thrived as long as she was self-paying. After filing for Medicaid, she began sleeping more and through mealtimes. When awake she complained of being hungry and ate whatever I brought as well as that which I gave an aid money to buy between my visits. After the aid was forbidden to continue, Mother`s weight began noticeably dropping. I checked her charts more often; asked more questions and attended a meeting with the staff, firmly voicing my concerns over her medications and weight loss. I was told she was maintaining [her weight charts and physical condition didn`t support this]. I gave them immediate changes I wanted made. They promised to make them if possible and get back with me. One promise was kept but the way it was done defeated it`s purpose. I did contact Illinois Representative Chapin Rose office; was given names and numbers of organizations; which I called. Someone came the day Mother died.
A: I suggest you contact the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services about this. It will investigate and file a report of its findings. Depending on what the cause of death was, you may want to consider whether to have an attorney review the hospital and nursing home records to see if there is a link between the neglect you describe and your mother's death.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
