Daughter claims mother not properly buckled in wheelchair, wrongful death suit says

The estate of Elizabeth Massears filed a wrongful death suit against Central Illinois Taxi in Madison County Circuit Court Oct. 2, seeking damages in excess of $100,000.

Massears' daughter, Sharon Miller, is the special administrator of the estate.

Miller alleges that on Oct. 4, 2005, her mother was being transported by the taxi company from her residence at the Blue Fountain Nursing Home to a doctor's appointment.

According to Miller, after placing her mother's wheelchair on the vehicle lift, the wheelchair slipped causing her mother to fall from the wheelchair because she was not properly buckled into the wheelchair.

Miller alleges Central Illinois breached its duty to exercise the highest degree of care by placing her mother in a wheelchair in an unsafe manner, failing to place a safety buckle before transporting her and allowed the wheelchair to slip causing her mother to fall.

She claims her mother suffered a fractured hip, pain of body and mind and incurred medical expenses.

"The plaintiff has suffered damages because of the death of her mother, including those items of damages which she would be entitled to under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act," the complaint states.

Miller is represented by Samuel Mormino, Jr., of Alton.

The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian.

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