Illinois Nursing Home Licensing Defense Attorney

Skilled Nursing Home Licensing and Public Health Defense Lawyer in Cook County, DuPage County, and Across the U.S.

In Illinois, there are roughly 12,000 nursing homes that are licensed and regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The IDPH imposes standards and guidelines by which nursing homes should operate, and they are the agency in charge of reviewing and investigating complaints. When a nursing home is having difficulty obtaining a license or is facing disciplinary action from the IDPH, it is important for them to consult with an experienced nursing home licensing and public health defense lawyer.

At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., we have over 16 years of experience and a strong track record of success helping nursing homes obtain licenses or defend their existing license. Joseph Bogdan is an attorney and pharmacist with an extensive background in both the medical and legal fields, and he provides complete representation for licensed professionals as they address concerns that may affect their practice.

Before he went into private practice, Attorney Bogdan was a prosecutor for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the agency charged with licensing and regulating health care professionals in Illinois. He was also a former prosecutor and served as Chief Pharmacist for the IDFPR and the Deputy Director of the Emergency Preparedness for IDPH. As Chief Pharmacist, he participated in nursing home inspections. He also assisted in nursing home prosecutions. Attorney Bogdan's in-depth knowledge of how processes from the inside has proven invaluable in giving his clients the skilled representation they need to ensure a positive outcome in their case.

Illinois Nursing Home Licensing and Public Health Disciplinary Process

The IDPH receives numerous complaints against nursing homes each year. Most come from consumers, though some are referred by other state agencies. Some of the common nursing home complaints in Illinois include:

• Unethical/Unprofessional Conduct
• Substandard Care (e.g., poor service from staff, poor quality food, medication errors, etc.)
• Substance Abuse by Staff and Management
• Breach of Confidentiality of Patient Records
• Sexual Harassment
• Sexual Assault
• Financial Irresponsibility
• Criminal Convictions

When an IDPH complaint is received, it is reviewed to determine if it has merit and warrants an investigation. If an investigation is initiated, the investigator will often request information in writing from nursing home owners, managers or employees. In some cases, the investigator may even request a face-to-face interview. If the investigation turns up enough evidence to suggest some kind of misconduct, a Disciplinary Conference may be scheduled. During the Disciplinary Conference, a settlement or consent agreement may be reached. If there is no such agreement, the IDPH may file a formal complaint against the nursing home, which can result in a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

Contact Our Licensing Defense Lawyer at 630-310-1267

If discipline is ultimately imposed by the IDPH, it is important to be proactive and take action as soon as you become aware of a complaint or disciplinary action against the nursing home. Because the sooner we are able to begin organizing your defense, the better position we will be in to secure a favorable outcome. For skilled assistance with all legal matters related to nursing home licensing and public health, contact our office today at 630-310-1267 for a free consultation.