EDWARDSVILLE - A Madison County woman has sued a Granite City nursing home and rehab center, alleging it provided improper care that led to amputation of her right leg.
The suit filed in Madison County Circuit Court by Vernessa Johnson accuses Stearns Nursing and Rehabilitation Center LLC of failing to properly monitor her medical condition to prevent infection, pneumonia and other health issues including COVID-19.
The facility "negligently and carelessly" failed to provide 24-hour nursing services and failed to recognize the "signs and symptoms" of infection, the suit says. It also allegedly failed to prevent Johnson from developing foot and leg pressure sores that led to the amputation of her leg.
Johnson further alleges the facility failed to provide adequate training to staff. The center's negligence was the "direct and promimate cause of Vernessa Johnson's condition of ill-being," the suit says. She suffered "great pain and mental anguish," the suit alleges.
Johnson seeks damages in excess of $50,000.
Also named as a defendant in the lawsuit is Tara Cares, the center's management company. Johnson also seeks damages in excess of $50,00 from Tara Care.
The plaintiff is represented by Daniel Katzman of Katzman and Sugden of Belleville.
Johnson v. Stearns Nursing and Rehabilitation Center et al. Circuit Court of Madison County, 2022LA000574