Nursing home sued over 95-year-old resident's fall

The guardian of a disabled 95-year-old woman says the elderly resident fell and fractured both of her hips while under the care of a Madison County nursing home.

Hazel Timmons, guardian of River Reed, filed a suit against Stearns Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on May 21 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Reed lived in the Granite City nursing home from May 25, 2007, through July 7, Timmons says.

When Reed was admitted to the nursing home, employees were aware she suffered from Alzheimer's and dementia and was usually disoriented and confused, according to the complaint.

Nevertheless, employees allowed Reed to wander unattended in the hallway during the middle of the night on May 29, 2007, the complaint says. During her walk, Reed fell and fractured her left hip, according to court records.

Yet again, on June 6, Reed was left unattended in a wheelchair and without a personal alarm. And, again, she injured herself when she fell, the suit states.

Timmons says Reed fractured her right hip after she was left unattended in her wheelchair with her tab alarm in the off position on June 15, 2007. During this incident, Reed attempted to walk unassisted when she was known to be non-weight bearing and at high risk for falling, according to the complaint.

Because of her numerous falls and the nursing home employees' negligence, Reed suffered pain of the body and mind and incurred medical costs, the complaint says.

Timmons is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs and attorney's fees.

J. Robert Edmonds of Mormino, Velloff, Edmonds and Snider in Alton will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-524.