EDWARDSVILLE – Cedarhurst of Collinsville is being sued after one of its residents died after the facility allegedly failed to recognize that she was at high risk for dangerous falls.
Plaintiff Richard Mendez, Jr., acting as independent administrator of the estate of Geraldine Mendez, filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against defendants Cedarhurst of Collinsville, LLC, Cedarhurst Living, LLC, Cedarhurst Manager, LLC, Cedarhurst Senior Living, LLC and Cedarhurst of Collinsville Management, LLC, Addington Place of Collinsville, Dover Capital, LLC and Michael R. Anderson, citing negligence and carelessness in violation of the Illinois Nursing Home Act.
According to the lawsuit, Geraldine Mendez was a resident placed in the care of the defendants for the purpose of respite care and was never assessed by the facility as being at high risk for falls. On April 1, 2021, Mendez allegedly fell and fractured her hip. She was transferred to Anderson Hospital to receive medical care for her injury, but died on May 25, 2021.
The plaintiff alleges that as Geraldine was admitted into the defendants' care, she was a protected individual under the state's Nursing Home Act. The suit states that due to the defendants' negligence, Geraldine experienced disability, disfigurement, pain, suffering and ultimately died. It further adds that Geraldine incurred medical expenses to seek medical care for her injuries.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorneys' fees, court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. Mendez is represented in this case by attorney Tonya Genovese and Sara Salgar of the Gori Law Firm, P.C. in Edwardsville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2023LA000457