Kidney Failure in Nursing Homes
Understanding the Causes, Warning Signs, and Legal Options for Families in Chicago
Kidney failure in nursing home residents is often a preventable tragedy. When a nursing home fails to monitor a resident’s hydration, manage existing conditions, or respond to early warning signs, the consequences can be fatal. For families, it’s not just a medical crisis—it’s a breach of trust. You placed your loved one in a facility expecting proper care, not avoidable organ failure.
At Ferrell Young, LLC, our Chicago nursing home neglect lawyers understand the devastating impact kidney failure can have on elderly residents and their families. We’ve helped families across Illinois hold nursing homes accountable when neglect leads to serious injury or death. If your loved one developed kidney failure in a nursing home, we can investigate what happened and fight for answers and justice.
FAQs About Kidney Failure in Nursing Homes
- What Is Kidney Failure?
- What Causes Kidney Failure in Nursing Home Residents?
- What Are the Warning Signs of Kidney Failure?
- How Does Nursing Home Neglect Contribute to Kidney Failure?
- Can Kidney Failure Be Prevented in Nursing Homes?
- What Are the Long-Term Effects of Kidney Failure?
- What Should I Do if I Suspect Nursing Home Neglect?
- Can I File a Lawsuit for Kidney Failure Due to Neglect?
- How Can Ferrell Young Help My Family?
What Is Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure, also called renal failure, occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste, fluids, and toxins from the blood. In nursing home residents, this condition is often tied to poor monitoring, dehydration, infections, or medication mismanagement.
There are two primary types of kidney failure:
- Acute Kidney Failure: A sudden loss of kidney function, often due to dehydration, infections, or medication toxicity.
- Chronic Kidney Failure: A gradual decline in kidney function over time, which can become life-threatening without proper treatment.
Both types can be triggered or worsened by nursing home neglect.
What Causes Kidney Failure in Nursing Home Residents?
Several risk factors and negligent actions can lead to kidney failure in a nursing home setting. Common causes include:
- Dehydration: Failure to provide adequate fluids or respond to signs of dehydration is a major cause of acute kidney failure in the elderly.
- Untreated Infections: Infections such as sepsis or urinary tract infections (UTIs) can spread to the kidneys if not treated in time.
- Medication Errors: Overmedication, drug interactions, or failure to monitor side effects can damage the kidneys.
- Neglect of Chronic Conditions: Residents with diabetes or high blood pressure need close monitoring to prevent kidney damage.
- Poor Nutrition: Inadequate nutrition or electrolyte imbalances can stress the kidneys and lead to failure.
In many cases, staff shortages, lack of training, or poor policies contribute to the conditions that cause or worsen kidney failure.
What Are the Warning Signs of Kidney Failure?
Recognizing the symptoms of kidney failure can be challenging, especially in elderly residents who may have communication difficulties. Families and caregivers should watch for:
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or face
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Decreased urine output or dark-colored urine
- Confusion, lethargy, or sudden changes in mental status
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or weakness
- Shortness of breath
These signs should never be dismissed or ignored. Early intervention can often prevent the condition from worsening, but many nursing homes fail to respond until it’s too late.
How Does Nursing Home Neglect Contribute to Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure doesn’t typically happen without warning. It’s often the result of missed symptoms, delayed responses, or ongoing neglect. Some of the most common forms of negligence that contribute to kidney failure include:
- Failure to monitor fluid intake and output
- Inadequate response to abnormal lab results
- Ignoring or delaying care for urinary tract infections
- Failure to adjust medications for elderly kidney function
- Lack of regular medical assessments and check-ups
When nursing homes cut corners or fail to provide appropriate care, it’s the residents who suffer. And families deserve answers.
Can Kidney Failure Be Prevented in Nursing Homes?
Yes—most cases of kidney failure in long-term care settings are preventable with proper medical oversight and routine care. Nursing homes should:
- Conduct regular lab tests to monitor kidney function
- Keep residents hydrated and nourished
- Respond promptly to infections or early symptoms
- Monitor medication side effects and interactions
- Provide specialist referrals when needed
If a facility failed to follow these steps and your loved one developed kidney failure as a result, you may have a valid legal case.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure can lead to severe complications, especially in older adults. Long-term consequences include:
- Permanent Organ Damage: Once the kidneys fail, function may not return—especially if left untreated.
- Dialysis Dependency: Some residents must undergo regular dialysis, a physically and emotionally taxing process.
- Hospitalization and Surgery: Many patients require emergency treatment or surgery, which can lead to further decline.
- Death: Untreated or advanced kidney failure can be fatal.
Beyond the physical toll, families also suffer emotional distress and financial burdens related to long-term care, hospital bills, and funeral costs in wrongful death cases.
What Should I Do if I Suspect Nursing Home Neglect?
If your loved one was diagnosed with kidney failure while in a nursing home, take these steps right away:
- Document Symptoms and Timeline: Write down when symptoms first appeared and how staff responded.
- Request Medical Records: Ask for lab results, incident reports, and daily care logs.
- Take Photos or Videos: Visual evidence can be important, especially if there are signs of dehydration or neglect.
- Report the Facility: You can file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
- Contact a Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer: A qualified attorney can investigate the case and protect your legal rights.
Even if the nursing home blames “underlying conditions,” that doesn’t excuse poor care. Facilities are legally obligated to monitor and respond to medical needs.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Kidney Failure Due to Neglect?
Yes. If kidney failure was caused or worsened by nursing home negligence, you may be able to file a nursing home abuse or wrongful death lawsuit. Legal claims can help you:
- Recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma
- Hold the facility accountable for negligent care
- Push for policy changes to protect other residents
At Ferrell Young, LLC, we work with medical experts and investigators to build strong cases for families. We dig deep into staff records, care plans, and health reports to uncover what really happened.
How Can Ferrell Young Help My Family?
Our Chicago-based team is focused on protecting vulnerable residents and their families. We’ve handled countless cases of nursing home abuse and neglect, including those involving kidney failure, sepsis, malnutrition, and wrongful death.
We’ll listen to your story, investigate thoroughly, and guide you through your legal options. You don’t have to take on a nursing home or its insurance company alone. We’re ready to stand up for your family and demand accountability.
Your Family Deserves Answers and Justice
If your loved one suffered kidney failure in a Chicago nursing home, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence and protecting your case. Contact Ferrell Young, LLC today for a free, confidential consultation. There are no upfront fees—we only get paid if we win your case. Let us fight for the justice your family deserves.