BELLEVILLE – The family of a former Willowcreek Rehab resident claims she received negligent care, which allegedly caused her condition to worsen and ultimately led to her death.
Plaintiff Cynthia L. Russell acting as independent administrator of the estate of Ruth Spicer, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Helia Healthcare of Belleville, LLC, Bridgemark Healthcare, LLC, Jacqueline M. Swygeart LPN, Nicole M. Madison, RN, Marcy Marie Ellison, RT and Kimberly Deonne Malear, RT, citing negligence and recklessness in violation of the Illinois Nursing Home Act.
According to the lawsuit, Spicer was admitted to Willowcreek Rehab, a company owned by Helia Healthcare and managed by Bridgemark, for long term care on Sept. 14, 2020. At the time of her admission, Spicer was at high risk for skin breakdown and was admitted with a stage 2 ulcer.
The lawsuit states that on Sept. 16, 2020, Spicer developed additional wounds to her buttocks and thigh. Russell alleges Helia nursing staff did nothing to document or assess these wounds. According to the lawsuit, over the next two weeks, Helia nursing staff members including the defendants, allegedly documented that Spicer was experiencing several new wounds and worsening conditions. They allegedly failed to report the wounds to the physician.
The suit states that Spicer's family became concerned for her worsening condition. Willowcreek initiated a transfer to St. Elizabeth Hospital, where Spicer was treated for septic shock, rectal bleed, and other wounds, according to the lawsuit. Spicer was returned to the care of Willowcreek. The lawsuit alleges that upon her return to the facility the pattern of neglect and underreporting of Spicer's condition continued. She allegedly had to be transferred to the hospital twice more to treat various worsening conditions before she ultimately died of cardiac arrest on Jan. 3, 2021.
Russell alleges that as Spicer was admitted into the defendants' care, she was a protected individual under the state's Nursing Home Act. The suit states that Spicer experienced pain and suffering, mental anguish, and ultimately died as a result of the defendants' negligence and carelessness.
The plaintiff is seeking damages, plus any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by attorney Eva E. Golabek of Kralovec, Jambois & Scwartz in Chicago.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LA1063