Illinois Officials Begin Examination of Nursing Home Procedures Following Elopement Of Alzheimer's Patient
The Chicago area has been struck by a snap of arctic weather lately. It’s the kind of weather that quickly brings a chill to every part of your body regardless of how quickly you can do what needs to be done and get back to a warm area. When I read news clippings about a downstate nursing home patient who wandered from a facility into these cruel temperatures, I couldn't help but cringe as I knew more bad news would follow. Sadly, I was correct. The body of the 75-year-old nursing home patient, identified as Aubrey Giles, was found in...
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DePuy Failure Rates Much Higher Than Originally Thought. How Bad Will Things Get?
For almost a year now, people with DePuy artificial hips have been digesting the steady stream of news related to the problems associated with the hardware in their bodies. Now, new data seems to paint a far more dire situation than originally disclosed by the medical device manufacturer. A recent statement released from The British Orthopaedic Association and the British Hip Society now estimates the failure rates of the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System to be far higher than originally estimated. By the groups' calculations, the DePuy system failures may necessitate additional surgeries in 49% of people within six...
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Will The Resignation Of DePuy Executive Signify New Accountability At Troubled Artificial Hip Manufacturer?
Over the past several months, news headlines have not been kind to DePuy Orthopedics. The Johnson & Johnson subsidiary was forced to recall an entire line of hip-replacement products following reports of product defects which resulted in: Hip dislocation Inflammation of tissue Pain in the area surrounding the hip implant News reports confirm that David Floyd, the worldwide president of DePuy Orthopedics since 2007 will resign later this month to “pursue interests outside the company” according to a company spokesperson. In the fourth quarter of 2010, DePuy took a $280 million charge related to the recall of its products. The...
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Learning About Your Nursing Home: Court Websites
Some days my law office gets bombarded with inquires from families wanting to know nothing more than if the facility they are considering placing their loved one in has been sued before. After all, if a facility has been repeatedly sued, do you really want your family member there? Though I am familiar with the litigation history at some facilities--- and certainly don't mind sharing my knowledge-- I usually direct the families towards the local courthouse-- or better yet -- the court's website. Since most nursing home negligence lawsuits are filed in state court, you first of all may want...
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Nursing Home Patient Dies When Struck By Car In Busy Street. What Was He Doing There?
No one at Emeritus of Prospect Heights nursing home, thought much about why William Spears, a resident at the facility, was headed out for a stroll—at 11 p.m.--- on a cold February night— and with his walker. Why? That’s what authorities from the Prospect Heights Police Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health are likely asking of the staff at the Chicagoland nursing home. Shortly after Mr. Spears walked out of the facility for his midnight stroll, he was struck by a SUV as he entered a busy nearby street. According to a Chicago Tribune report of the...
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Do You Want An Assisted Living Facility Opening In Your Neighborhood?
The above is a question essentially posed to residents of a Gurnee, IL subdivision where Theresa Bicok wishes to operate a home-based assisted living facility out of her 6,000-square-foot home for up to 24 residents. For the past several years, Ms. Bicok has operated an unlicensed assisted living facility out of her suburban Chicago-land home without much fanfare. The village wasn't notified of the unlicensed facilities existence until paramedics were called to the home following the death of one of Ms. Bicok's residents. In order for the home-based assisted living facility to continue to operate, the village board must grant...
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New Lawsuits Filed Against DePuy Orthopedics Related To Defective Hip Replacement Products
ABC 7 News reported on recent lawsuits filed by five Chicago-area patients who received defective DePuy hip replacement products. The Chicagoland lawsuits are similar to other lawsuits filed against the medical device manufacturer by patients across the country. At the heart of the issue is DePuy's negligent design of hip replacement products that release bits of metal into the patients bodies causing severe pain and potential blood poisoning. Though DePuy moved to recall the hip replacement products in 2010, there is mounting evidence that they were aware of problems with the devices significantly earlier. The pain and medical complications associated...
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Tougher Regulations For Illinois Nursing Facilities Caring For Children Coming In Near Future
The widely publicized Chicago Tribune investigative article regarding a large number of neglect-related deaths of children at a Chicago nursing facility appears to have caught the attention of Illinois officials. Recently, Illinois officials held meetings with child advocacy groups and representatives from facilities that care for disabled children in order to get input regarding legislation to help protect this vulnerable group from mistreatment. In response to a similar series of articles the Chicago Tribune did regarding the problems encountered at more 'traditional' nursing homes, legislation was quickly passed to protect the growing nursing home population. However, despite the improved regulation...
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Illinois Attorney General Takes Steps To Prevent Owners Of A Chicagoland Nursing Home From Operating Another Facility
Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, is now taking steps to prevent the owners of an unlicensed nursing home in the Chicagoland area from operating a similar facility in the future. Earlier we discussed the now shuttered, Bowes Retirement Center, and how despite the fact that is held itself out as a retirement center, it actually was providing services akin to a nursing home. Investigations by the state and local regulatory agencies also revealed filthy living conditions and residents being abused and neglected. While the physical building that Bowes used to operate may soon be disposed of in a court-supervised...
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Sunrise Targets Veterans Who Qualify For Government Benefits For Assisted Living
First of all, a very respectful happy Veteran’s Day to all members of our armed service. Certainly, the contributions and sacrifices made in defense of our country deserve the support and admiration from all citizens. In the spirit of Veteran’s day, I though it would be appropriate to discuss a recent article I came across in the Chicago Tribune which highlights a marketing campaign by Sunrise Assisted Living focused at getting Veterans--- or perhaps more accurately funds from Veterans benefits—into their Chicagoland Assisted Living facilities. According to the article, many vets and their spouses are entitled to benefits to help...
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