Calvin Johnson Care Center named in wrongful death suit

A man is asking the court to render judgment against Calvin Johnson Care Center after his relative allegedly suffered from multiple falls that eventually resulted in his death.

Tony Wyrostek claims Steve Wyrostek Sr. was placed in the Belleville center and died on March 2, 2007, after multiple falls in which he sustained permanent injuries.

During one fall on Feb. 27, 2007, Steve Wyrostek Sr. struck his head, according to the complaint filed Feb. 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

After another fall, Steve Wyrostek Sr. was found unresponsive on March 1, 2007, the suit states.

The falls were a result of the negligence of the staff at the Calvin Johnson Care Center, Tony Wyrostek claims.

Staff negligently failed to properly monitor Steve Wyrostek Sr., failed to properly assess his physical capabilities and take steps to reduce or eliminate risks of fall and failed to create a protocol for falls, the suit states.

Employees at the center were also negligent by failing to take corrective action after Steve Wyrostek Sr. fell repeated times, by failing to properly attend to him, by failing to properly assess him and to properly conduct necessary neurological checks after he fell on Feb. 27 and by failing to plan care for potential dangers related to his use of Coumadin, according to the complaint.

In addition, Calvin Johnson Care Center employees failed to implement a policy reporting abnormal laboratory values to patient physicians and failed to initiate cardio pulmonary resuscitation after Steve Wyrostek Sr. was found on March 1, Tony Wyrostek claims.

Before Steve Wyrostek Sr.'s death, he was hindered from attending to his usual duties, suffered great mental and physical pain and anguish and incurred medical expenses, according to the complaint.

Because of Steve Wyrostek Sr.'s death, his next-of-kin have been deprived of his services, comfort, companionship, support, love and affection, according to the complaint.

In the two-count suit, Tony Wyrostek is seeking a judgment in excess of $100,000, plus costs.

John T. Papa of Callis, Papa, Hale, Szewczyk, and Danzinger in Granite City will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0105.