EDWARDSVILLE — Alton Memorial Hospital is accused of negligence after staff members allegedly left a high fall risk patient unsupervised, resulting in injuries.
Traci Katro, individually and as administrator of the Estate of Dollie B. Cooper and as guardian of minor heirs HJC, filed a complaint Dec. 4 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Alton Memorial Hospital, alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, Cooper was a patient at Alton Memorial Hospital in December 2018. The plaintiff alleges that Cooper was diagnosed as a "significant fall risk" due to her medical conditions and was issued a bracelet to warn hospital staff that she was a fall risk. The plaintiff alleges that on Dec. 8, 2018, Cooper fell and suffered a fractured femur and other injuries, which caused her to undergo "substantial surgical and medical expenses."
The plaintiff claims the alleged fall also caused Cooper to become disabled and suffer pain up until her death on Jan. 28, 2019. She alleges the hospital negligently left Cooper without supervision while out of her bed and failed to "attend to necessary personal hygiene" for Cooper.
The plaintiff seeks compensation of more than of $50,000 and all other just relief. She is represented by Attorney Thomas Hildebrand in Granite City.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 20-L-001717