BELLEVILLE - A Caseyville nursing home is being sued after a resident allegedly died from COVID-19 in January 2021.
Plaintiff Regina Wilson, as independent administrator for Maynard Lewis' estate, filed a wrongful death suit in the Madison County Circuit Court against the rehabilitation center.
Lewis "succumbed to symptoms of the deadly COVID-19 virus and died" at Caseyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on January 5, 2021, the lawsuit states.
Wilson alleges the nursing home "knew or should have known that Mr. Lewis, an elderly resident with underlying medical conditions, was at high risk for the contraction and transmission of COVID-19."
The suit states that the nursing home was negligent in "failing to develop appropriate infection control and prevention policies and procedures which would provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment to prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections."
Wilson claims the defendant also failed to enforce social distancing, failed to cancel group dining and activities and failed to "objectively observe, assess, and evaluate changes in Mr. Lewis's condition as well as the condition of its other residents."
"Mr. Lewis suffered serious and permanent injuries of a personal and pecuniary nature including, but not limited to, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability and disfigurement, and medical and related expenses," the lawsuit states.
Wilson seeks compensation in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and attorney's fees. The plaintiff is represented by Carter Grant of Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge LLC in Chicago.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LA0968.