Daughter of deceased man files complaint against nursing home

The daughter of a recently deceased man alleges a nursing home contributed to her father's death.

Mary M. Crane filed a lawsuit Dec. 11 in Madison County Circuit Court against Alhambra Care Center.

In her complaint, Crane alleges her father, Jack W. Torum, was living at Alhambra. Torum had a history of significant urinary retention, according to the complaint. To combat Torum's urinary issues, doctors had inserted a Foley urinary catheter, the suit states.

While at the nursing home, Torum developed a urinary tract infection, which worsened until he was sent to the Anderson Hospital emergency department on Jan. 11, 2013, the complaint says. At the hospital, Torum was treated for the infection, plus a blood infection and urosepsis, Crane alleges.

Following the various infections, Torum's health continued to decline according to the complaint. He suffered from an altered mental status, endured severe fevers and experienced severe kidney failure and significant dehydration, the suit states. He also suffered from severe malnutrition and endured pain, suffering and mental anguish before his death Jan. 26, 2013, the complaint says.

Crane says she incurred medical, funeral and burial costs and attorney fees.

She blames the nursing home for causing her father's injuries, saying its employees negligently failed to observe Torum for any significant changes to his medical condition, failed to timely notify Torum's physician or daughter of any changes to his physical or mental condition, failed to provide him with adequate hydration and nutrition, neglected Torum and failed to provide him with adequate medical care.

Crane seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Attorney Lawrence J. Hess, of The Rex Carr Law Firm in East St. Louis, will be represent Crane.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-1693.