Willowcreek Rehab sued over resident's death

The family of a deceased Belleville man says the lack of care he received at a St. Clair nursing home is to blame for his death.

Enone Collier, on behalf of the estate of Lloyd Collier, filed a lawsuit Sept. 2 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Helia Healthcare of Belleville LLC, doing business as Willowcreek Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Bridgemark Healthcare LLC is also named as a defendant.

Enone Collier says Lloyd Collier was living a Willowcreek Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in September 2010. Family members claim that between September 2010 and October 2010, Collier was neglected by staff so severely that he became severely dehydrated, suffered a perforated colon and developed a bacterial infection in his blood. The patient allegedly died in October 2010 as a result of his condition.

The Collier family accuses Willowcreek Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Bridgemark Healthcare of violating Illinois' Nursing Home Care Act. The family is also alleging wrongful death and negligence. The Colliers seek more than $200,000 in damages for medical expenses and court costs.

Attorneys Staci M. Yandle and Jamie L. Bracewell of O'Fallon are representing Collier. They ask for a jury trial.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-494.