EDWARDSVILLE — The estate of a woman who allegedly died from negligent care at a nursing home is suing Mutual of Omaha over its refusal to pay the "accidental death" portion of the decedent's life insurance policy.
John Craig, as independent administrator of the Estate of Sina Joanne Craig, filed a complaint Oct. 26 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Co., alleging breach of contract.
According to the plaintiff's suit, Joanne Craig died on March 27, 2019, after suffering a hypotensive stroke "brought about by extensive blood loss resulting from an accidental arterial injury." The plaintiff alleges that Joanne Craig's injury was due to the negligence of the nursing home providing for her care at the time.
The plaintiff claims that despite having a copy of the life insurance policy, Joanne Craig held a $5,000 "face value" policy with Mutual of Omaha that provided an additional $5,000 for accidental death.
She also claims Joanne Craig's medical chart from St. Anthony's Hospital where she was treated after her alleged nursing home injury, along with the Madison County Coroner's certificate, shows evidence of her "accidental injury" and death. The plaintiff claims that despite the evidence, Mutual of Omaha refuses to pay the additional accidental death coverage from Joanne Craig's life insurance policy.
Craig seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. She is represented by Lanny Darr of The Darr Law Offices LTD in Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 20-L-001508