Elder Law

Levin & Perconti Files Nursing Home Negligence Action against South Shore Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

By Levin & Perconti

A nursing home negligence lawsuit was filed against South Shore Nursing & Rehabilitation Center by attorney John J. Perconti of Levin & Perconti on Friday, October 24, 2008. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the family of Lula Moore of Chicago, is for the personal injuries Lula suffered as a resident at South Shore, which lead to her death on November, 17, 2007.

Lula Moore was admitted to South Shore in August of 2007 after her doctors recommended that she be moved into a nursing home in order to receive constant care necessary for her Alzheimer?s. ?We did a lot of research and we chose South Shore because of its reputation and that it was close to home to make visitation easier. We placed our faith and trust in this facility and thought we made the best choice for our mother,? said Brenda and Karen Moore, Lula?s daughters.

Lula had no signs of pressure ulcers, or bed sores, when she entered South Shore but just 3 days after her admission the staff discovered an ulcer on her tailbone. This sore progressed and required Lula to be hospitalized twice to surgically treat the wound, which ultimately declined to the point of infection. Lula?s doctors diagnosed her with Sepsis, a blood infection, and her health continued to deteriorate rapidly. On November, 17, 2007, 3 months after being admitted to South Shore, Lula died. The cause of death was determined to be sepsis as a result of her infected pressure ulcer.

The Illinois Department of Public Health investigated the circumstances leading up to Lula Moore?s death, found several deficiencies in the care provided by South Shore, and cited the facility for improper nursing care. John J. Perconti, the attorney who filed the case, stated, ?Lula Moore?s case is a devastating example of nursing home negligence. The staff at South Shore failed to carry out a simple plan of care that would have prevented the pressure ulcer from forming. The facility also failed in its treatment plan, allowing the wound to become infected, requiring surgery and ultimately contributing to her death.?

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on November 03, 2008 (boomark / email).