A man's estate is suing a nursing home, alleging negligent care before his death.
Marilyn Nichols Stock, as executor of the estate of Joseph Nichols, filed a lawsuit June 11 in Cook County Circuit Court against Alden-Long Grove Rehabilitation and Health Care Center Inc., doing business as Alden Long Grove Rehab and Healthcare, Alden Management Services Inc. and the Alden Group, alleging negligence.
The suit says Nichols became a resident of Alden Long Grove Rehab and Healthcare, 2308 Old Hicks Road, Long Grove, on July 12, 2012, and remained there until September 2012 before returning as a resident Jan. 17, 2014. According to the complaint, the center knew that Nichols was at a high risk for falling due to his dementia and Parkinson's disease, and on Jan. 21, 2014, he fell and broke his right hip and elbow, requiring treatment the following day at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
As a result, the lawsuit states, Joseph suffered great injury, pain and suffering, and medical expenses that led to a deterioration of his condition. He died June 25, 2014.
The suit says the defendants were negligent for failing to assess Nichols for his high falling risk, oversee his needs, ensure a proper evaluation of Nichols' condition, provide fall prevention devices, develop and implement a current care plan for the deceased, supervise him properly, ensure his environment was free of hazards, train staff and follow the center's policies.
Stock, citing violations of the Nursing Home Care Act, Wrongful Death Act and Survival Act, seeks damages in excess of $450,000, plus costs. She is represented by attorney Kelly Sabo Gaden of the Law Offices of Steven J. Malman in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L005971.