Executor of woman's estate files wrongful death claim against Elmhurst hospital, La Grange nursing home

A suburban hospital and nursing home are being sued over claims their negligence led to a woman's death.

Alfred Lukasek, as executor of the Estate of Virginia Michelsen, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on June 26 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare, doing business as Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, Butterfield Health Care VII LLC, doing business as Meadowbrook Manor of LaGrange.

According to the suit, Michelsen was a patient and resident of the defendant Elmhurst Hospital, at 155 E. Brush Hill Road in Elmhurst, from Nov. 28, 2012 until Dec. 3, 2012, during which time she required supervision and extensive assistance to prevent pressure ulcers as she was bedridden.

Lukasek caims Elmhurst Hospital failed to provide pressure relieving devices to prevent Michelsen's pressure ulcers from worsening, failed to perform daily skin inspections or properly treat her pressure ulcers, causing pain and deterioration of her well-being that contributed to her death.

The suit further alleges that Michelsen was a resident of Meadowbrook Manor of LaGrange, at 339 Ninth Ave. in La Grange, from Dec. 3, 2012 until March 13, 2013. While there, Lukasek claims Michelsen's pressure ulcers became infected and required surgery and that she suffered a large right leg laceration as a result of Meadowbrook's negligence.

Lukasek, who also alleges negligence and violations of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, is seeking damages in excess of $50,000. He is being represented by Chicago attorneys Michael F. Bonamarte and Erin M. Mayer of Levin & Perconti.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L006779.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Cook County Courthouse. 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.