$475,000 Settlement for Assisted Living Facility’s Failure to Provide Medical Assistance to Resident with Bilateral Femur Fractures, Resulting Death

Louise Reese, 100, lived at Harbison Hall Assisted Living. While an employee of the facility was helping her get up from the commode, she dropped her to the floor. Reese suffered bilateral femur fractures. Without further examination, the employee of the facility put her back in her bed and covered her up with bed sheets and blankets.

When a hospice aide arrived to see Reese, she found her moaning in pain. The aide also discovered severe swelling and bruising around Reese’s knees and lower thighs. X-rays revealed the femur fractures in both legs. Although Reese was transported to a hospital for care and treatment, she unfortunately died the next day.

Reese’s estate sued Harbison Hall alleging that its employee chose not to protect the patient while moving her from the commode to a wheelchair. It was also alleged that the employee failed to call for help when she dropped Reese and failed to evaluate her. There was also an allegation that the assisted living facility and its employees decided not to report the fall to Reese’s family. The lawsuit also alleged inadequate staff training. It may be obvious, but it seems likely that the nursing aide or employee elected to hide her condition under the bed clothes after she dropped Reese to the floor and elected not to tell anyone about the fall, which undoubtedly severely injured the fragile 100-year-old woman.

Before trial, the parties reached a settlement in the amount of $475,000. The attorneys representing the Reese estate were Wes B. Allison, Justin Kahn and David Farrell.

Reese v. Harbison Hall Partners, No. 2018-CP-40-04266 (S.C. Ct. Com. Pl. Richland County, April 3, 2019).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling nursing home abuse cases, nursing home negligence cases, assisted living negligence lawsuits and nursing home bedsore lawsuits for individuals, families and loved ones who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Melrose Park, Elmhurst, Addison, Bloomingdale, Lake Zurich, Glenview, Glencoe, Barrington Hills, Buffalo Grove, Park Ridge, Chicago (Little Village, Lakeview, Wicker Park, Belmont Cragin, Portage Park, Little Italy, Lower West Side, Back of the Yards), Lyons, Stickney, LaGrange and Western Springs, Ill

Robert D. Kreisman has been an active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.