Nursing Home Kidney Dialysis Negligence: How Common Is It?

 Posted on July 15, 2025 in Personal Injury

A Richton Park nursing home was recently found negligent in the death of an elderly resident. After a week spent presenting the case, the jury reached a verdict in favor of the plaintiff in just three hours. The award of $5.5 million ties with another nursing home neglect award in the county for the largest verdict.

The resident missed 13 days of necessary dialysis treatments, which caused toxic waste buildup in his body and led to his death. The 85-year-old man was admitted to the nursing home in late 2020, following a serious fall. According to court testimony, the man required dialysis three times per week but had not received treatment in 13 days.

Approximately 80,000 patients who require kidney dialysis reside in nursing homes. Kidney dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for many elderly nursing home residents in Illinois. When the treatment is not administered properly – or at all – the consequences can be severe illness or death. Infections, blood pressure crashes, muscle spasms, difficulty breathing, confusion, pain between the ribs and hips, and easy bruising or bleeding are all symptoms of kidney failure.  

Nursing home negligence is described in Illinois statute, 210 ILCS 45/3-601. Regarding dialysis sessions, negligence is not as rare as families would hope. Whether the dialysis is performed on-site or off-site, lack of supervision, communication breakdowns, understaffing, and flat-out neglect can cause tragic dialysis errors. An experienced Joliet, IL nursing home injury and abuse lawyer can explain what your legal options are following abuse or neglect.

Why Are Nursing Home Residents Particularly Vulnerable to Kidney Disease?

As we age, kidney function naturally declines, making the kidneys more susceptible to injury and less able to recover from damage. An older person’s kidneys are less able to cope with stressors like illness or dehydration. Since older adults often have a dulled sense of thirst, their risk of dehydration is significantly higher than that of younger adults.

Chronic conditions that can adversely affect the kidneys include diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. The weakened immune systems of the elderly and the proximity to others in nursing homes lead to a higher risk of infections, including UTIs and sepsis, both of which can further damage the kidneys.

Since nursing home residents are often on multiple prescription medications, there is an increased risk of side effects, one of which is lowered kidney function. Even poor nutrition, falls, or other injuries can weaken the body, making it less resilient to kidney injury.

How is Kidney Dialysis Administered in Illinois Nursing Homes?

Residents receiving kidney dialysis will either be transported to and from a certified End-Stage Renal Disease facility for their regular treatments, or dialysis treatments can be provided within the nursing home by nursing home personnel or staff members from a dialysis facility.

On-site dialysis is usually tolerated better by elderly residents, as they are not required to travel to an off-site center on a routine basis. Most studies indicate that patients receiving on-site dialysis in nursing homes have fewer hospital readmissions and an overall improved quality of life.  

What Are the Most Common Dialysis-Related Negligence Issues in Nursing Homes?

Unfortunately, dialysis negligence is far from uncommon in nursing homes, with many cases going unnoticed and unreported. Elder patients may miss dialysis treatments entirely when nursing homes are understaffed, the staff are not properly trained, or staff members simply do not care.

While missed dialysis treatments are extremely serious, even delayed treatments can result in serious trauma. Other dialysis-related negligence issues include medication errors for those with poor kidney function, infections from unsanitary equipment or poor hygiene, or a lack of monitoring during recovery, leading to serious complications.

Contact a Will County, IL Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If your loved one has suffered complications or passed away from dialysis neglect, a highly skilled Joliet, IL nursing home injury and abuse attorney from McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC is ready to help. Our attorneys have specific experience in various fields; the attorneys with appropriate experience in each area will handle cases. Our mid-sized firm ensures you have access to every resource while still receiving a high level of client care. Call 815-727-0100 to schedule your free consultation.