Virgil Calvert sued over resident's alleged brain injury

The son of an elderly St. Clair County woman says his mother was left with a severe brain injury because she was neglected by her East St. Louis nursing home.

Willie Burns, as guardian of the estate and person of Annie L. Burns, filed a lawsuit Feb. 14 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Virgil Calvert Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Inc.

Willie Burns says his mother was a resident of the Virgil Calvert Nursing and Rehab Center from May 2008 through April 2010. He says that during that time, Annie was allowed to fall several times while under the direct supervision nursing home staff, even though workers allegedly knew Annie was a likely fall victim.

When his mother did fall, Willie Burns claims the nursing home staff or administrators did not notify him or Annie's doctor in a timely fashion.

In April 2010, Annie was admitted to St. Louis University Hospital with several brain injuries allegedly caused by her frequent falls. Willie accuses the nursing home of abusing and neglecting his mother, violating Illinois' Nursing Home Care Act. He seeks more than $50,000 in damages, plus court costs, on behalf of his mother.

Attorney Lawrence J. Hess of East St. Louis is representing Burns. They ask for a jury trial.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-86