A woman's estate claims she fell several times at a nursing home, which allegedly led to her death.
Cheryl Rylander, administrator of the estate of Sandra Rylander, filed a complaint on July 22 in Madison County Circuit Court against Petersen Management Co. LLC, doing business as White Oak Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
Sandra Rylander was a resident of the defendant's center in Mount Vernon since August 2014. According to the lawsuit, the center knew at all times that the 76-year-old was at high risk for falling and suffered from Alzheimer's dementia.
Despite a bed alarm being installed on her bed on Sept. 14, 2014, which the plaintiff claims was often inoperable, the decedent allegedly suffered falls on Nov. 22, 2014; Dec. 9, 24, and 25, 2014; and Jan. 17. On Jan. 18, she was found bleeding and unresponsive, face-down in her room, the lawsuit states. She was pronounced dead two days later.
The defendant is cited with abuse and neglect by failing to provide adequate supervision, failing to keep Sandra Rylander from falling and in sight, failing to provide an adequate alarm system, failing to ensure the alarms were functioning and failing to develop an up-to-date plan of care.
As a result, Sandra Rylander allegedly suffered injuries, pain and suffering, and a deterioration of her condition that led to her death, the lawsuit states.
The plaintiff seeks damages of more than $50,000, plus costs.
The plaintiff is represented by Lanny Darr of the Darr Firm in Alton and Michael Sudekum of Mandel and Mandel in St. Louis.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-922.