CHICAGO, IL – A jury in Illinois has rendered its verdict in connection with the death of a nursing home patient attributed to neglect, Fox32 Chicago reported.
Following a week-long trial in Cook County, the jury awarded $5.5 million to the family of Sandy Brooks, who died in December 2020 at the age of 85.
In late 2020, Brooks was being treated at RML Specialty Hospital after a brain bleed caused by a fall. He was then transferred to Landmark of Richton Park, the only nearby facility offering on-site dialysis through a third-party provider, RenViva.
Court testimony indicated that he did not receive any dialysis treatment during his 13 days at the facility, even though he required the treatment three days per week. He was found unresponsive on Dec. 7, 2020, and died three days later due to toxic waste building in his body.
The jury made its decision following three hours of deliberation. The financial award was reported to have tied the largest nursing home neglect verdict in the history of Cook County.
Members of Brooks’ family told FOX32 Chicago about the difficulties they had endured following his admission to the nursing home. “He was submitted into Landmark. My mom would call every day, at least 10 times a day. We never got a call back,” his daughter, Andrea Brooks was quoted as saying.
“He went through multi-organ system failure. The signs and symptoms he experienced as a result of that – pain for one. Difficulty breathing. He was struggling and we didn’t know this. We weren’t able to help him,” said Brooks’ granddaughter Katherine Boston.
Attorneys with Malman Law, who represented the family, said the case serves as an important lesson for other families with similar concerns.
“If a loved one does have a complaint or believe that there is negligence, obviously I would recommend that they contact a lawyer, but they should also contact the Illinois Department of Public Health because they’re the agency that will go into the facility right away upon receiving a complaint and investigate,” said Madison Cogan, an attorney with Malman Law.
FOX 32 Chicago said it reached out to Landmark of Richton Park for comment, but the facility has not responded.
The Importance of Legal Help
The Illinois case is an unfortunate example of the kind of abuse or neglect patients can suffer in nursing homes. If this has happened to one of your loved ones, your first instinct may be to report the abuse to the authorities and trust that they will take appropriate action to hold the abusers accountable. While reporting abuse to state agencies and law enforcement is an essential step, it is equally important to consult with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney to ensure that the patient’s rights are fully protected and that they receive the compensation they deserve.
What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing any form of abuse or neglect at a nursing home, take action immediately. At FreeNursingHomeAbuseReport.com, we are dedicated to supporting families through the process of reporting abuse and holding negligent facilities accountable. You can request a free, confidential consultation by filling out our simple online form. Our experienced team will listen to your concerns, provide guidance on documenting and reporting the abuse, and connect you with local resources and legal support.
