EDWARDSVILLE — A Granite City nursing and rehab center is facing a wrongful death suit after a patient allegedly died from complications from a fall and other neglect.
Rosalind Epps, as administrator to collect for the Estate of Lee McGruder, deceased filed a complaint July 22 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Stearns Nursing and Rehabilitation Center LLC, Aurora Cares LLC, doing business as Tara Cares LLC, Kelly N. Breckenridge, L.P.N., and Martina B. Brady, L.P.N., alleging wrongful death and other claims.
According to the plaintiff's suit, McGruder, who had a medical history of stroke, schizoaffective disorder, Alzheimer's and other health issues, was a resident at Stearns Rehab from April 9, 2015, through July 23, 2019. The plaintiff alleges that while under Stearns care, he suffered several falls, including sliding off his bed and an untreated urinary tract infection with "strep viridans." Epps further alleges that in May 2018 and in July 2019, McGruder was found on the floor without having any neuro checks or an x-ray. For two weeks, McGruder complained of leg pain only then to be diagnosed with a "femoral periprosthetic fracture" and a DVT in the left leg.
The plaintiff alleges that after returning to Stearns, McGruder developed multiple skin ulcers on his legs. In August 2019, McGruder was found unresponsive. He died Aug. 19, 2019. The plaintiff claims McGruder's death was listed as a result of complications from his periprosthetic hip fracture.
The plaintiff seeks monetary and all other just relief. She is represented by Eva Golabek of Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz in Chicago.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-000861