Woman files suit against South Holland nursing home over fractured femur

A woman is accusing a South Holland nursing home, alleging its staff was negligent in assisting her use a mechanical lift during physical therapy.

Judy Terkovitz filed a lawsuit May 12 in the Cook County Circuit Court against HCR Manorcare Inc.; Manorcare of South Holland IL LLC, doing business as Manorcare Health Services - South Holland; HCR Manorcare Medical Services of Florida LLC, doing business as Heartland Care Partners; and Leslie Slosser, an administrator of the facility.

According to the complaint, Terkovitz was a resident of Manorcare Health Services - South Holland on May 16, 2012, when she fell off a mechanical lift during physical therapy and fractured her femur.

Terkovitz claims she underwent hip surgery on May 17, 2012, and suffered from pressure ulcers as a result of the fall. She accused the defendants of being negligent by not properly assisting her even though they knew she was at high risk for falls and of violating the Nursing Home Care Act.

Terkovitz is seeking more than $50,000 in damages and is being represented in the case by attorneys Patricia L. Gifford and Jaime A. Koziol of Levin & Perconti.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L005113.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.