A woman is suing a certain Cook County assisted living and nursing facility over allegations that she developed an infection and heel ulcer and was sexually assaulted while staying there.
Charlane Shea filed a complaint Sept. 21 in Cook County Circuit Court against Emeritus Corp., doing business as Brookdale Senior Living Inc., and formerly known as Emeritus Senior Living, alleging negligence.
On Sept. 28, 2013, the complaint states, Brookdale Senior Living admitted Shea with significant leg weakness and progressive multiple sclerosis. On April 19, 2014, Brookdale employees noted Shea had been sexually assaulted by another resident at the facility.
According to the complaint, on Oct. 5, 2014, Brookdale employees charted that Shea had redness and swelling in her right heel. One day later, Brookdale documented that Shea's right heel was red, swollen, and had an open area, and the next day, she was transferred to St. Alexius Medical Center with dehydration and a urinary tract infection.
At St. Alexius, Shea was diagnosed with cellulitis of the foot and osteomyelitis of the right heel, and on Oct. 15, 2014, her right heel pressure ulcer was documented as a stage three, the complaint states.
The complaint states that Brookdale was negligent in failing to initiate and sustain measures to prevent skin breakdown and pressure ulcers, failed to appropriately monitor her condition, failing to provide a safe environment, failed to prevent infection and dehydration, and failed to prevent sexual assault.
As a result, Shea suffered severe and permanent injuries requiring significant medical expenses and has experienced pain, suffering, disfigurement and disability.
Shea seeks a judgment in excess of the court's jurisdictional requisite. She is represented by Ryan E. Yagoda of Kralovec Jambois & Schwartz in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L009627