BELLEVILLE – A Belleville nursing home is facing a wrongful death suit from an estate administrator over alleged negligent care.
Cheryl Whiteside, as special administrator of the estate of Linda K. Schomber, filed a complaint on Nov. 20 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Helia Healthcare of Belleville LLC, doing business as Four Fountains, alleging wrongful death.
According to the complaint, Schomber resided at Four Fountains and suffered from aspiration pneumonia, sepsis and respiratory failure while under the defendant's care. The suit states that on Oct. 8, 2016, Schomber died at Memorial Hospital in Belleville of respiratory failure, which the plaintiff claims was caused by the defendant's neglect.
The plaintiff holds Four Fountains responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to properly monitor the decedent, resulting in her weakened condition and continuous aspiration, and failed to properly care for Schomber in a manner that would maintain her dignity and quality of life.
The plaintiff seeks judgment in an amount of more than $50,000, and costs, as provided by statute.
She is represented by John J. Hopkins of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Alton.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-691