Elder Law

Chicago Nursing Home Resident Drowns in Bathtub

By Levin & Perconti

The Chicago Tribune reported last night on the drowning death of a Chicago nursing home resident. Jean Engstrom, a 51 year old mentally ill woman, died in the evening of July 4th at the Warren Park Nursing Pavilion. The facility is suppose to provide care to nearly 100 residents and is located on the northwest part of the city in West Rogers Park, near Damen Avenue and Devon Avenue.

Ms. Engstrom was found in her bathtub shortly before 9pm on Sunday evening, while most of the 4th of July holiday events were still finishing. Staff officials found her in a bathtub with the water running. Police officers called to the scene tried to revive her, but they were unsuccessful. She died after arriving at St. Francis Hospital.

The investigation into Ms. Engstrom?s death in ongoing with homicide and negligence not ruled out as possibilities.

The Medicare.gov Nursing Home Comparison site indicates that the Warren Park Nursing Pavilion was inspected by government officials several times between February 2009 and April 2010 after complaints had been filed against the pavilion. Overall, the inspectors gave the home its lowest ranking (much below average) for failing to meet health requirements and for the quality of its medical staff.

Specifically, the investigators found that the nursing home previously had failed to protect residents from mistreatment, neglect, and theft of personal property. They also revealed that Warren Park Nursing facility staff occassionally failed to provide care that respected each residents' self dignity and personal preference. The inspection concluded with concerns that the facility did not adequately ensure that the nursing home area was free of dangers that cause accidents.

Our Chicago nursing home attorneys at Levin & Perconti are intimately familiar with the care provided at nearly every nursing facility in the Chicago area. We have worked with dozens of clients winning numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of victims of nursing home negligence and abuse. Deaths like Ms. Engstroms are almost always preventable if proper care, supervision, and oversight is provided at the facility. If you suspect anything similar, be sure to contact a nursing home lawyer in your area.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on July 06, 2010 (boomark / email).