Woman through power of attorney sues nursing home

Collinsville Rehabilitation and Health Care Center was named as a defendant in a Nursing Home Care Act complaint filed in Madison County Circuit Court on Aug. 18.

The plaintiff, Florine Pinson, through her power of attorney Latitia Pinson, alleges Collinsville Rehab had a duty not to violate the rights of any resident of the facility including the duty not to neglect any resident.

Latitia Pinson claims Collinsville Rehab violated their duty from March 30, 2007 through Aug. 28, 2007 when they failed to provide adequate and properly supervised care for her.

She also claims the nursing home failed to protect Florine from neglect, failed to notify Florine's physician of significant changes in her condition that threatened her health, safety and welfare and failed to provide Florine with sufficient fluid intake to maintain proper hydration.

Latitia Pinson further alleges Collinsville Rehab failed to provide Florine with necessary treatment and services to prevent the development of decubitus ulcers and to promote healing and prevent new ulcers from forming, failed to assure that Florine maintained acceptable parameters of nutrition status including body weight and protein levels and failed to provide appropriate treatment to prevent urinary tract infections.

Latitia Pinson claims as a result of Collinsville Rehab's Nursing Home Care Act violations, Florine sustained injuries including recurrent urinary tract infections, urosepsis, malnutrition, dehydration and the development of decubitus ulcers.

According to the complaint, Florine's injuries caused and continue to cause severe and repeated pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress, caused her to become further debilitated and disabled and caused her to become liable for large sums in medical expenses.

Latitia Pinson is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, attorney fees and costs.

She is represented by Staci Yandle of Belleville.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Daniel Stack.

08 L 729