Forest Park, Illinois Nursing Home Operator Pleads Guilty to Felony Gross Neglect in Patient’s Death
The Illinois company that previously owned The Pavilion of Forest Park has pleaded guilty to the felony gross neglect of a Long Term Care Facility Resident, which is a Class 4 felony conviction. Forest Park, LLC was the owner of the nursing home when 48-year-old Shirley Massey was a resident there from May 2002 until her death four months later.
In September 2005, a Cook County grand jury indicted the nursing home operator and Dr. Jason Garti, the homes former medical director and wound care physician, with the gross neglect of Shirley Massey. Following Forest Park LLC’s guilty plea, a Cook County Circuit Court judge ordered the company to pay $75,000 for prosecution and investigation expenses, as well as a $25,000 fine. Judge James Schreier also sentenced the company to 30 months conditional discharge.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan vowed to continue filing criminal charges against any nursing home companies that are guilty of nursing home neglect or abuse. The charges against Forest Park, LLC stem from an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Massey’s death. According to Court testimony, the 48-year-old woman was taken to the Loyola Hospital emergency room when bedsores were discovered on her body. There was also tissue damage to her bones. Hospital workers said this was the worst case of decibitus ulcers they had ever dealt with.
By pleading guilty to gross neglect, the Illinois nursing operator was acknowledging responsibility when Dr. Garti failed to provide Massey with standard care because he did not properly examine her and come up with a plan to take care of her condition.
Bedsores
Bedsores commonly affects nursing home residents, many of whom are forced to lie in bed for long periods of time because of their deteriorating condition or poor health. With the proper care, bedsores are preventable.
Guilty plea in nursing home neglect case, Chicago Breaking News, November 17, 2008
Former Nursing Home Operator Guilty of Neglect, Illinois Attorney General
Related Web Resources:
Bedsores, Health A to Z
Pressure ulcers, Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
For your free consultation with Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Steven J. Malman, call 1-888-MALMAN LAW (625-6265).
