A man's estate is suing over a fall that occurred under the care of a local hospital that allegedly led to a broken hip and his eventual death months later.
Mary Ellen Turner, as administrator of the estate of James Turner, filed a complaint June 22 in Cook County Circuit Court against Rush University Medical Center.
One June 21, 2013, James Turner was admitted to Rush to treat various infections, a fever, dehydration, weakness and fatigue. He was hospitalized there several times prior: on June 5 and 15, May 15, Feb. 18 and Jan. 31, 2013, the lawsuit states.
Though he was considered officially at risk for falling, the hospital allegedly left him unattended on June 24 with at least one of his bed rails down, the lawsuit states. As a result, he attempted to get out of bed at about 3 a.m. June 24, fell to the ground and fractured his left hip. According to the lawsuit, this injury led to great pain and suffering, deterioration of his condition and medical expenses. On March 17, 2014, he died.
The plaintiff, citing survival and provisions in the Family Expense Act, seeks damages in excess of $100,000, plus costs.
The plaintiff is represented by Craig D. Brown and Michael W. Lenert of Meyers and Flowers LLC in St. Charles.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L006335.