A resident of the Wood Glen Nursing and Rehab Center in West Chicago received seven sutures to the head after he was dropped during a failed nursing home transfer. The resident fell while being transferred from his nursing home bed to his wheelchair. No long-term ramifications were noted at the time, but because he already suffered from dementia, lack of coordination, and muscle weakness, it would be difficult to establish whether a head injury has resulted in an additional loss of cognition and ability.
The resident is an 83-year-old with a high risk of falls according to the assessment conducted by Wood Glen Nursing and Rehab Center in August of 2012. In fact, the resident experienced his first nursing home fall on the day he was admitted to the facility.
The most disturbing aspect of this incident is the discrepancy between what was noted on the original report generated by Wood Glen Nursing and Rehab and what was revealed during the subsequent investigation by the Illinois Department of Public Health nursing home inspectors.
The initial report stated that the individual “”rolled out from his bed” and was lying down prior to the fall. During the investigation, the certified nurses aide (CNA) who was present at the time said that the resident was seated on the side of the bed, and fell when he turned to get the mechanical lift.
While both descriptions involve a nursing home fall, the second description implies a greater amount of negligence. While it’s impossible to have staff constantly present around all residents who are lying prone, a resident who is a high risk of nursing home falls should never be left perched on the side of a bed.
If you have a loved one who has been seriously injured in a nursing home fall in an Illinois nursing home, contact our Chicago nursing home lawyers for a free and confidential case evaluation. There’s no obligation, and we never charge a fee unless we take, and win, your case.