Company Settles Cook County Nursing Home Lawsuit Alleging Illinois Wrongful Death for $700,000
In Illinois, Certified Health Care Management Inc. and Dr. Carl Johnson have settled a Cook County nursing home neglect lawsuit alleging wrongful death for $700,000. The Illinois nursing home negligence complaint was filed on behalf of the estate of Donald McCormick Jr. The decedent was just 43-years-old when he died in November 2002.
McCormick was a resident at Prairie View Care Center, a Charleston, Illinois nursing home that Certified Health Care Management was managing at the time.
McCormick was admitted to the assisted living facility in March 2002. Because of his impairments, he needed the help of nursing home workers to perform daily tasks. He also was unable to communicate with workers about his needs. As a result, it was up to the staff at the nursing home to make sure that he was getting the care that he needed until he was discharged in May 2002.
During his nearly two-month stay at the Illinois nursing home, McCormick suffered from severe dehydration and malnourishment and developed a serious bedsore. The condition of the decubitus ulcer was so severe that one of his bones became exposed. According to the Cook County nursing home neglect complaint, McCormick’s injuries were a result of negligence by Johnson and the management company for failing to provide the 43-year-old resident with the personal care and medical attention that he needed.
Per case documents, Johnson has agreed to pay $100,000 and Certified Health Care Management says it will pay $600,000.
Many nursing home residents are placed in long-term care facilities because family members do not have the resources or experience to give them the full-time care that they need. In addition to needing medical care a nursing home resident may need help eating, bathing, getting dressed, or getting around.
It is the responsibility of all Illinois assisted living facilities to give residents the medical attention and personalized care that they require. For example, in some cases, failure to bathe a patient or change the sheets can lead to infections, illnesses, and deteriorating health that can prove catastrophic for the resident.
Management company, doctor reach settlement in Charleston nursing home death, Herald-Review, September 18, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Nursing homes in Illinois
Bedsores, Mayo Clinic
