Schaumburg Woman Files Elk Grove Village Nursing Home Abuse Negligence Lawsuit
A 77-year-old woman is suing ManorCare at Elk Grove Village, St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, and their respective companies for Cook County personal injury. Margaret Mock is alleging Illinois nursing home negligence and negligent medical care.
Mock was injured during a fall accident while staying at the Elk Grove Village assisted living facility to recover from hip surgery. She broke her leg in two places while a nursing home worker was moving her from her bed to a wheelchair.
Because of her weakened state, Mock was unable to undergo surgery for her leg and had to stay at the nursing home for five months. In her Cook County nursing home neglect complaint, Mock contends that the assisted living facility employee’s failure to exercise caution when transferring her to the wheelchair was a violation of the Nursing Home Act.
Mock is also suing Alexius Medical Center because she developed a pressure sore while staying there. She contends that the hospital should have acted to prevent the bedsore from developing.
Mock is seeking over $50,000 plus court costs.
Fall Injuries and Bedsores
Nursing homes and hospitals know that patients recovering from hip surgery are at risk of falling and developing bedsores. There is no reason why there shouldn’t be procedures in place (that are followed) to prevent fall accidents from happening and pressure sores from appearing on the skin.
Common causes of nursing home falls:
• Muscle weakness
• Hip injuries
• Slip and fall
• Medication
• Negligence on the part of nursing home workers
• Lift mechanism malfunctions
Common causes of bedsores:
• Not checking patient for pressure sores
• Failure to frequently and regularly turn immobile patients in their beds
• Improper hygiene
• Malnutrition
• Incontinence
• Dehydration
For an elderly or sick person, a fall injury or a decubitus ulcer can lead to serious complications and even death. If nursing home workers exercise the care necessary, both types of injuries are preventable.
Schaumburg woman sues nursing home after fall, November 17, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Bedsores, MayoClinic
