BELLEVILLE – A man who was receiving treatment at Willowcreek Rehab after falling off a cliff claims he suffered injuries from negligent care.
Francisco Vasquez filed a lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Helia Healthcare of Belleville, LLC, doing business as Willowcreek Rehabilitation and Nursing, citing negligence in violation of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act.
According to the lawsuit, Vazquez was a resident at Willowcreek from Aug. 20, 2020, through Mar. 3, 2021. The plaintiff claims that on July 18, 2020, he fell off a cliff, seriously injuring himself and causing paralysis from the chest down. Vasquez received medical care to save his life before being transferred to Willowcreek for occupational and physical therapy. Because of his condition, Vasquez was completely dependent on Willowcreek for daily life activities.
Hunt
| Onderlaw LLC
The plaintiff states that soon after his admission to Willowcreek, he developed deep tissue injuries and various skin wounds along with several ulcers throughout his body, which eventually led to sepsis and other worsening conditions.
The plaintiff claims that Willowcreek violated the state's Nursing Home Care Act by negligently failing to provide proper care, monitoring and treatment to prevent him from developing these injuries.
The lawsuit states that to date, Vazquez continues to require in-home care to address the injuries and ulcers he sustained while in Willowcreek's care. He adds that his injuries have caused him pain and suffering and have caused him to incur medical expenses.
Vazquez is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus interest, court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. He is represented in this case by attorney Breanna L. Hunt of Onderlaw, LLC in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LA0711