The jury in Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis’ courtroom on March 8 awarded plaintiff Diana Obernuefemann with a verdict of $273,607 against Rosewood Care Center in Edwardsville, following a five-day trial.
Obernuefemann sued in 2007, claiming the nursing home was negligent in the care of her aunt, Kathleen Adams.
Obernuefemann claimed that the staff at Rosewood placed a Duragesic narcotic patch on Adams, then 66, before moving another one that was in place as a result of a hospital stay.
Plaintiff’s attorney Robert Gregory described the patch as having “severe, potentially life-threatening side effects.”
Adams suffered an overdose and aspiration pneumonia and died, June 7, 2006.
The lawsuit alleged violations of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, claiming the defendant’s alleged negligence caused Adams’ death and other damages.
Defense attorney Dennis McCubbin told the jury Adams’ pneumonia caused her death. She also had osteoporosis and smoked a pack per day of cigarettes, McCubbin argued.
Plaintiff in case against Rosewood awarded $273K
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