What Records Should I Request if I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?

 Posted on February 28, 2026 in Nursing Home Abuse

If you think a loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, start collecting records right away. The paperwork a facility keeps can tell you a lot about what has or hasn't been done for your loved one.

According to a recent analysis using data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. nursing homes received tens of thousands of citations every year. Many of those are tied to abuse, neglect, or exploitation of residents. These people deserve justice and compensation.

If you have concerns about a loved one in a nursing home, our Decatur, IL nursing home abuse lawyers can help you figure out what records to ask for and what to look for in them.

What Is Your Legal Right To See Nursing Home Records in Illinois?

You have strong legal rights when it comes to your loved one's records. Under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45/), residents and their authorized representatives can inspect and get copies of all clinical and personal records. If your loved one gave you written permission or you hold power of attorney, you can ask the facility directly for those records.

The Illinois Medical Patient Rights Act (410 ILCS 50/) also gives patients and their representatives the right to get copies of medical records in a reasonable amount of time. If a facility refuses without a valid reason, that's a warning sign on its own.

What Medical Records Should You Ask For First if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?

Medical records are the best place to start. They show what care your loved one did or didn’t receive. They can also point to patterns of neglect or injury.

Ask for:

• Daily nursing notes, which show how your loved one was doing from day to day
• Doctor's orders and care plans, which show what treatment was ordered and whether it was carried out
• Medication records, which track what was given, when, and by whom
• Reports of any falls, injuries, or accidents, along with how staff responded
• Wound care records, which show whether sores or injuries were treated and whether they got worse over time
• Lab and test results, which can reveal signs of malnutrition, dehydration, or untreated infection

Missing entries, vague notes, or records that don't match what you've seen with your own eyes can be just as important as what is written down.

What Other Records Are Worth Asking For When Building a Nursing Home Abuse Claim?

A facility's administrative files can show how it's being run and whether your loved one's concerns were ever addressed.

You can ask for:

• Incident and accident reports involving your loved one
• Any complaints or grievances filed by your loved one or your family
• Staffing records, which can show if the unit was regularly short on staff when problems happened
• State inspection reports and any citations from the Illinois Department of Public Health
• Staff training records, which show whether workers were properly prepared to care for residents

You can also look up a facility's inspection history through the Illinois Department of Public Health's online database. It's free and available to the public.

What Should You Do Once You Have the Records You Need To Build a Nursing Home Abuse Case?

Go through the records and compare them to your own notes. Look for things that do not add up, such as differences between what staff told you versus what's actually written down. Watch for notes that seem copied from one day to the next or entries that are vague and don't reflect what you personally witnessed.

If the records back up your concerns, report the suspected abuse to the Illinois Department of Public Health and reach out to an attorney right away. Acting fast matters because evidence can be lost, and your loved one's condition can get worse while you wait.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Bloomington, IL Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

If you think a loved one has been hurt or neglected in a nursing home, don't wait for the facility to tell you what happened. At Kanoski Bresney, we are here to help you get answers and take action. Attorney Todd Bresney previously worked at the Federal Trade Commission and the State's Attorney's Office for Cook County, which gives him real experience investigating and building complex cases.

With over 100 years of combined legal experience across the firm, we know how to go through the records and hold facilities accountable. Call 888-826-8682 to schedule a free consultation with our Decatur, IL nursing home abuse lawyers today.