Cedar Ridge Health & Rehab Center sued after resident allegedly suffers tooth decay

The family of a St. Clair County man is suing over claims he suffered tooth decay when his nursing home failed to provide adequate dental care.

Timothy J. Bates, by Lisa R. Striano-Bates as next friend and as agent and attorney-in fact for Timothy J. Bates, filed a lawsuit July 21 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Covenant Care Midwest Inc., doing business as Cedar Ridge Health & Rehab Center, citing the Nursing Home Care Act.

According to the complaint, Timothy J. Bates became a resident at Cedar Ridge Health & Rehab Center in Lebanon on Dec. 6, 2011, after suffering a traumatic brain injury. The complaint states Bates developed tooth decay in 2012, as a result of the facility's failure to provide proper dental care, and a jaw infection in March 2013, after which point he voluntarily moved to another residence. According to the complaint, Bates had to have 14 upper teeth pulled and will lose his remaining bottom teeth.

Bates is seeking more than $50,000 in damages. He is being represented in the case by attorney Stephen C. Buser in Columbia.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 14-L-559.