Assaults on Nursing Home Residents

I read an article in the Chicago Tribune about a deadly assault on a nursing home resident, resulting in death.  This is a shocking development but I am seeing more cases in my own law practice involving assaults on nursing home residents.  These are not cases of assault by the nursing home staff.  These are cases of assault by OTHER RESIDENTS.  Nursing home residents have a right to be safe in the nursing home.  If other residents have violent tendencies and/or medical or psychological problems that cause them to physically lash out at others, the nursing home has a responsibiltiy to protect the other residents from acts of violence.  Failure to do so may be the basis for a neglect or abuse claim against the nursing home.