Chicago Nursing Home Negligence Alleged in Cook County Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Hinsdale Assisted Living Facility
The family of Dolores “Dee” Howorth is seeking Illinois wrongful death damages from ManorCare Health Services-Hinsdale. Howorth died in April 2009.
According to the Chicago nursing home neglect complaint, Howorth died from acute renal failure after having been dehydrated for 27 days and losing 16 in pounds in 12 days. She had been living at the assisted living facility for less than a month when she passed away.
The plaintiffs’ Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers claim that assisted living facility staff members used chemicals and a wheelchair lap restraint to improperly restrain Howorth for the sake of their own convenience. Within her first 48-hours at the long-term care facility, Howorth, who had Dementia, was given Ativan. Four days later she was given Seroquel, an anti-psychotic. Howorth’s family contends that the nursing home failed to make sure that she was properly hydrated and neglected to document changes in her medical condition.
Following an investigation in the wake of a complaint filed by Howorth’s family with the Illinois Department of Public Health in June, the department cited ManorCare of Hinsdale for violations involving nursing neglect, improper nursing care, improper physician care, and improper restraint. The report also notes that Howorth’s dramatic weight loss was not properly assessed or remedied.
Unreasonable Restraint
Chicago nursing homes are not allowed to restrain patients without proper cause. In many cases, the reason to restrain a patient is medical or necessary for the good of the patient. Nursing home workers are not allowed to restrain residents merely for their “convenience” or because they are sick of hearing them complain or don’t feel like watching them. Improper restraint can be grounds for a Chicago nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuit.
Hinsdale ManorCare faces wrongful death lawsuit, September 3, 2010
Hinsdale nursing home sued over resident's death, My Suburban Life, September 2, 2010
Related Web Resources:
The Illegal Use of Chemical Restraints in Illinois Nursing Homes, Chicago Bridge, April 25, 2010
Related Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Blogs:
Advocacy Group Wants to Fight Illinois Nursing Home Abuse with Tougher Rules on the Use of Anti-Psychotic Drugs as Chemical Restraints, Chicagonursinghomeabuselawyerblog.com, January 8, 2010
Nursing Aide Ties 83-Year-Old Nursing Home Abuse Victim to a Chair Before Napping, Chicagonursinghomeabuselawyerblog.com, August 12, 2009
