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COOK COUNTY RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Woman, power of attorney sue over nursing home fall

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A disabled woman's power of attorney is suing over allegedly lacking nursing home care that led the woman to fall and injure herself in 2013.

Priscilla Stepney, as representative of the disabled Ruby Jewel Stepney, filed a complaint  June 5 in Cook County Circuit Court against Hillcrest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center LLC, Extended Care Consulting LLC and Eric Rothner.

Ruby Stepney was a resident of Hillcrest from March 2, 2006, to July 31, 2013, the lawsuit states, and at all times Hillcrest staff knew she was at a high risk for falls. On June 8, 2013, she fell, then was transferred to Silver Cross Hospital where it was learned she had suffered a right ankle fracture. The lawsuit states she received a short leg splint on the ankle and received a hard cast instead on June 11.

The defendants are cited with various violations of the Nursing Home Care Act, as well as failing to ensure trained staff would supervise her, promote care for patients, develop a care plan and fall plan to address changes in the patient; supervise her to prevent falls, meet professional standards, provide adequate assistive devices, visual supervise her on June 8, institute a regular program to assist her risk for falls, provide pain medication to the patient as prescribed, and follow doctor's orders to implement fall precautions.

As a result, she suffered serious injury, pain and suffering, loss of a normal life and medical expenses.

The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $150,000, plus costs.

The plaintiff is represented by Steven M. Levin, Cari F. Silverman and Mark K. Volk of Levin and Perconti in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L005742.

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