Hopkins
While living at a Wood River nursing home, a man suffered from multiple urinary tract infections and endured a fall and pneumonia, which seriously affected his health, according to recently filed lawsuit.
Candice Sue Higgins filed a lawsuit Aug. 20 in Madison County Circuit Court against SA-ENC VIP Manor doing business as VIP Manor, Cypress Health Group and General Medicine.
In her complaint, Higgins alleges Evan Dale Nelson began living at VIP Manor on Jan. 17, 2011, after receiving a diagnosis of bimallcolar fracture of the left ankle, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, varicose veins and left knee osteoarthritis. Shortly after his admittance to the nursing home, on March 23, 2011, Nelson fell and suffered a hematoma to the right side of his head and face, according to the complaint.
He also suffered multiple urinary tract infections, a weight loss of nearly 18 pounds and pneumonia during his stay at the home from Jan. 17, 2011, through May 11, 2011, the suit states.
Because of his multiple afflictions, Nelson has physically deteriorated, has been unable to perform his usual duties and has incurred substantial medical costs since his time at the nursing home began, the complaint says. He also experienced great pain, emotional distress and mental anguish, Higgins claims.
Higgins blames the defendants for causing Nelson's injuries, saying they negligently failed to care for Nelson in a way that improved his quality of life, failed to employ sufficient staff to provide adequate services, failed to assist Nelson, which resulted in his fall and injuries, violated its resident care policies by failing to provide care and services to Nelson and failed to properly assess Nelson for risks of falls, among other negligent acts.
In her five-count complaint, Higgins seeks a judgment of more than $250,000, plus attorney's fees and costs.
John J. Hopkins of John J. Hopkins and Associates in Alton will be representing her.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-1375.