Security system failed to respond to distress call, suit says

The son of a deceased man alleges his father died after a security company failed to timely respond to a distress call at his home.

Timothy Johnson, as executor to the estate of Robert E. Johnson, deceased, filed the lawsuit Feb. 28 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Pass Security Systems LLC and Pass Security LLC.

According to complaint, Timothy's father Robert Johnson was living at 2140 Sandy Ridge Road in Cahokia on Feb. 28, 2012, when he suddenly became ill while at home. A female relative was with Robert at the time and tried to use a security system installed in the home to alert authorities, according to the complaint. The relative then notified a neighbor of the crisis, and the neighbor called local authorities, which dispatched an ambulance to Robert’s home and transported him to Touchette Regional Hospital, the suit states.

At least 20 minutes after the neighbor’s actions and the arrival of the local police and the ambulance, agents or employees of the defendants called to see if there was an emergency which needed to be responded to, the complaint says. Because he did not receive prompt medical treatment, Robert died at Touchette Regional Hospital on Feb. 28.

Due to his father’s death, Timothy lost his companionship, incurred medical costs and suffered grief, according to the complaint.

Timothy Johnson is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000 for compensatory damages, plus unspecified punitive damages, costs and other relief the court deems just. He is being represented by John Turner of Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 14-L-182.