Cahokia Nursing and Rehab sued in St. Clair County

John Hare, the independent administrator of the estate of Mable Phillips, filed a wrongful death suit against Cahokia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in St. Clair County Circuit Court June 30, claiming the nursing home failed to protect Phillips from neglect.

Hare claims while Phillips was a resident at the facility from Sept. 12, 2002, until her death on Aug. 28, 2004, the nursing home negligently and carelessly failed to provide safe transfer activities and failed to evaluate her to ensure she received adequate supervision and assistance to prevent accidents.

He also claims the nursing home failed to provide supervised care as needed, failed to protect Phillips from neglect, failed to timely notify her doctor of significant changes in her condition which threatened her health and failed to notify the Department of Public Health of incidents and accidents which had a significant effect on her health.

Hare further alleges that Cahokia failed to provide the necessary care and services to attain or maintain Phillips' highest practicable physical, mental and psycho-social well-being, failed to provide 24-hour nursing care, failed to maintain Phillips clinical records and carelessly operated its facility and provide services in compliance with all applicable regulations.

According to the complaint, Phillips sustained multiple hip fractures, pneumonia, sepsis, multiple urinary tract infections, dehydration, and deterioration and the development of decubitus ulcers, all of which caused or contributed to her death on Aug. 28, 2004.

"As a result of the negligence of this defendant, the heirs of Mable Phillips have been deprived of her companionship and society," the complaint states.

Represented by Donna Anderson of the Rex Carr Law Firm, Hare is seeking damages in excess of $350,000, plus all costs of the suit.

06 L 403 (20th Circuit