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The
lawsuit was filed by AARP and others and alleges Alden Group,
Ltd. is putting residents at risk by deliberately understaffing
their facilities in an effort to cut back on costs and boost
profits.
“The suit is necessary because when facility owners and
operators flout their duties and cause harm to the most
vulnerable, it is imperative that residents can hold them
accountable in court through private rights of action for
abusive and neglectful practices,” said attorney Charlie Wysong
of Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym.
The plaintiffs allege that from 2018 to 2020, the six Alden
facilities named in the case provided less than the absolute
minimum of nursing hours required by Illinois law, and used
ghost staffing with falsified work schedules. In some cases,
former employees were included on the schedule.
Residents were also forced to sign agreements waiving their
right to sue in court over injuries, which is prohibited by the
Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, the plaintiffs said.
Alden operates dozens of facilities in Illinois and Wisconsin
but six are named in the lawsuit. They are located in Chicago,
Cicero, Harvey and McHenry County.
There are 11 plaintiffs in the case, all referred to as Jane and
John Does, ranging in age from 26 to 82.
“As a result of Illinois’ over-reliance on institutional
settings, many people with disabilities have no other option but
to live in large nursing facilities,” said Barry Taylor, vice
president for Civil Rights and Systemic Litigation at Equip for
Equality. “Despite this lack of community living opportunities,
people with disabilities should not be subjected to inadequate
institutional care with tragic consequences.”
Alden has 30 days to respond to the lawsuit once they have been
served.
The company did not respond to a request for comment from The
Center Square.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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