A man's estate is suing a nursing home and staff, alleging neglectful treatment before his death.
Heloise Heard, as administrator of the estate of Richard Heard, filed a lawsuit July 1 in Cook Count Circuit Court against the Renaissance at 87th Street Inc., doing business as the Renaissance at 87th Street; Nucare Services Corp., doing business as Nucare Management; and nurses Jamia Hawkins, Chelsi LeWellyn and Conswaylla Bell.
According to the complaint, Richard Heard was a resident of the defendant's facility, at 2940 W. 87th St., Chicago, from May 8, 2013, until Nov. 22, 2013, with the exception of sporadic hospitalizations, and during this time, it was the defendant's obligation to assist with the deceased's repositioning in bed and transfers to avoid pressure sores.
Due to various alleged violations of the Nursing Home Care Act, the suit says, Richard Heard suffered five pressure sores--to his penis, sacrum, right foot, scrotum and right heel--as well as pneumonia, malnutrition, and acute sepsis, all of which contributed to his death Dec. 7, 2013.
The plaintiff alleges the deceased sustained pain and suffering and medical expense.
Heloise Heard seeks damages in excess of $550,000, plus costs. She is represented by attorneys Margaret P. Battersby-Black and Daniel A. Goldfaden of Levin and Perconti in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L006727.