A Cahokia woman is suing a Cahokia nursing home, alleging negligence in the death of her father while he was in the care of the defendants.
Sharon K. Riley, as independent administrator of the estate of Arthur L. Widmar, filed a lawsuit Jan. 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Atrium Health Care & Rehabilitation Center of Cahokia LLC and Bria Health Services of Cahokia, alleging negligence and wrongful death.
According to the complaint, on April 20, 2007, Riley's father was admitted to Atrium Health Care with diagnoses including bipolar disorder, hypertension, B12 deficiency and high-grade myelodysplasia, a condition marked by the lack of normal blood cells.
While he was at the facility, other medical conditions such as depression and psychosis impaired his judgment, the suit says. On Dec. 17, 2012, the lawsuit states, Widmar underwent a bone marrow evaluation confirming his myelodyspalia diagnosis.
As a result of his medical condition, Widmar had a standing order entered at Atrium in January 2014 to have a periodic complete blood count test, the lawsuit states, but the defendant failed to perform the test in January or February.
On Feb. 23, 2014, the suit says, Widmar was admitted to Memorial Hospital in Belleville with symptoms consistent with an insufficient platelet count. He was prescribed hospice care Feb. 25, and died March 1, 2014.
The plaintiff claims Widmar's next of kin have suffered pecuniary damages as a result of their relative's death, the complaint states, and his estate has been diminished to pay for medical and funeral expenses.
Riley seeks at least $50,000 for each of the counts against Atrium, with one against Bria Health Care Services, plus court costs. She is represented by attorney Stephen C. Buser of the Law Office of Stephen C. Buser Ltd. in Columbia, Ill.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-13