Suit blames Addus Healthcare for woman's death from sepsis

A woman is blaming the death of her relative on Addus Healthcare, claiming its employees failed to adequately treat her relative's ulcers.

Bernice Collins filed a lawsuit Sept. 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Addus Healthcare.

In her complaint, Bernice Collins alleges the recently deceased Flay Collins began living at Addus Healthcare on Aug. 9, 2009. During her stay, Flay Collins suffered an infection to her right hip, a urinary tract infection and sepsis, according to the complaint.

As a result of her conditions, Flay Collins died on Sept. 13, 2009, the suit states.

Bernice Collins blames Addus Healthcare for causing Flay Collins' death, saying it negligently failed to obtain an acceptable specimen for urinalysis and failed to obtain a urine culture as directed by Flay Collins's physician. In addition, employees at Addus Healthcare negligently failed to provide treatment for Flay Collins's decubitus ulcers and failed to notify Flay Collins's physician of significant changes in her condition, the complaint says.

In her two-count complaint, Bernice Collins is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Staci M. Yandle of The Law Offices of Staci M. Yandle in O'Fallon will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-509.