Rodney L. Volkening was a 54-year-old man who required constant care after being diagnosed with spina bifida several years ago. Now, his family has filed a lawsuit against Tower Hill Healthcare Center, a South Elgin Illinois nursing home, alleging neglect and abuse of their loved one.
The family moved Volkening to Tower Hill after officials at the nursing home assured them that he would be provided a safe and comfortable home. On July 5, 2008, he was taken to Sherman Hospital because of a 107 degree temperature according to Craig Brown of Foote, Meyers, Mielke and Flowers LLC, who is the family’s attorney.
Brown stated that hospital staff filed a report of suspected abuse and neglect with the Illinois Department of Human Services after finding in the emergency room the Volkening had been subjected to poor oral hygiene and poor skin care. A colostomy bag that had busted left a large amount of stool around Volkening and he had severe bed sores that were covered in dressings covered by stool. Even with a temperature of 107 degrees, it appeared the nursing home had given him no medication to bring the fever down.
According to Tower Hill administrator Jeremy Amster, the nursing home makes no comments on pending lawsuits. He did say that the facility would defend against any and all claims vigorously. Volkening did succumb to his illness on July 31, 2008 and the lawsuit is seeking in excess of $50,000 plus attorney fees. Brown states that the lawsuit does not allege that neglect led to Volkening’s death, but that an investigation is ongoing in to whether the abuse and neglect suffered at Tower Hill was a cause of his eventual death.
Volkening’s death certificate listed pneumonia and staph infection, but the autopsy (and death certificate) did not indicate the cause of the infection. According to the lawsuit filed by the family, the lack of adequate medical care, personal care and maintenance while in the nursing home led to Volkening’s injuries and physical deterioration. A hearing on the suit is scheduled for May 22 of this year.
Nursing home abuse and neglect is a sad fact that seems to be occurring more frequently in our society. If you suspect abuse or neglect of a loved one in a nursing home or elderly care facility, contact a reputable New York nursing home abuse lawyer.
