If you find yourself checking into nursing home care for a loved one, be sure to ask and demand to see proof of liability insurance. The State of Illinois, in it's infinite wisdom, requires you, me, and everyone who drives a vehicle, to obtain liability insurance, to protect persons who we might injure while driving. The State of Illinois, however, does not require Nursing Homes to carry liability insurance for accidents or abuse which occurs to the Nursing Home residents.

There are many reputable and excellent Nursing Homes out there that provide excellent care to the residents and they carry liability insurance. There are also Nursing Home institutions out there that hire and employ abusive employees that injure and neglect residents and do not carry liability insurance. The real estate that these places is on are owned by unknown trusts and shell corporations and the nursing homes are owned and operated by underfunded shell corporations and holding companies. The whole purpose is to make it impossible for anyone to recover any money in the event a lawsuit is filed on behalf of an injured resident.

There are some people who might feel that it is perfectly logical for the State of Illinois to require us to have insurance when we drive a car but allow Nursing Homes to operate without liability insurance. For the rest of us please consider the following:

1. Contact your State of Illinois Representatives and request that they require Nursing Homes to carry liability insurance.

2. If you are looking at Nursing Homes, demand proof of insurance.