BELLEVILLE - Two nurses claim they were wrongfully terminated after raising concerns about patient safety due to understaffing measures implemented by the defendant.
Nurses Kenya T. Stuckey and Danielle N. Blackwell filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Mercy Rehab and Care Center Inc. (MRCC).
According to the complaint, a supervisor at MRCC reduced staffing levels during night shifts to save costs. This resulted in two wings of the facility being completely unattended at times, putting patients at risk, the suit states. The nurses claim they reported their concerns to their supervisor and MRCC, but their objections were dismissed. The supervisor allegedly stated that insurance would cover any issues.
The nurses also claim that this cost-saving measure was not only unsafe but illegal as it violated standard practices and Medicare requirements. Furthermore, they allege that MRCC did not reduce its patient bill to reflect the reduced costs.
Stuckey was terminated on Oct. 5, 2023, while Blackwell was terminated on Oct. 4, 2023. Both nurses assert that they were not timely paid for their work at the time of their termination.
The lawsuit also includes allegations of fraudulent billing practices and illegal work activity including altering medical records.
The plaintiffs seek a judgment in their favor in excess of $50,000. They are represented by attorney Brian Wendler of Wendler & Zinzilieta.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 24-LA-1488