$5.5 Million Chicago Nursing Home Neglect Verdict Ties County Record

A Cook County jury awarded $5.5 million in an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit to the family of an 85-year-old man who died after a nursing home failed to provide life-sustaining dialysis.

The man was admitted to Landmark of Richton Park, a facility just south of Chicago, after a serious fall. He required dialysis 3 times a week but did not receive a single treatment during his 13-day stay. Tragically, he died soon after from toxic waste buildup in his body.

The jury found the facility negligent for failing to provide appropriate care or notify the family of missed treatments. The verdict ties the largest nursing home neglect award in the county’s history.

Illinois Nursing Home Missed 13 Dialysis Treatments Before Man’s Death

This case of fatal nursing home neglect began when Sandy Brooks was transferred to Landmark of Richton Park following a brain injury from a fall.

After a successful recovery at a specialty hospital, he was moved to the facility because it offered on-site dialysis through a third-party provider. His family expected his care to continue without interruption.

Instead, Mr. Brooks wasn’t given a single dialysis treatment, even though he required it 3 times a week to survive. The nursing home failed to provide this essential care and never informed the family that treatments were being missed.

Less than 2 weeks into his stay at the nursing home, he was found unresponsive. Paramedics were able to revive him, but he died 3 days later. The cause was toxic waste buildup in his body — a direct result of untreated kidney failure.

“He went through multi-organ system failure. The signs and symptoms he experienced as a result of that — pain for one. Difficulty breathing. He was struggling and we didn’t know this. We weren’t able to help him.”

– Granddaughter of Chicago nursing home resident

With the help of a Chicago nursing home neglect lawyer, the family filed an Illinois nursing home lawsuit after learning the full extent of the negligence.

Jury Awards $5.5 Million After Landmark Found Negligent

The Brooks family’s nursing home lawyers took their case to trial and won one of the largest nursing home verdicts in Cook County.

During the trial, the victim’s daughter testified that she and her mother called the facility multiple times a day but could never get a clear answer about his condition. The lack of communication prevented the family from stepping in or seeking outside care.

Records and witness testimony confirmed that the facility failed to coordinate essential services. They also did not alert the family to the growing medical emergency.

Jurors heard evidence that Landmark of Richton Park failed to provide dialysis for nearly 2 weeks. During this time, they never informed the family. The jury found the facility negligent after just three hours of deliberation. They awarded $5.5 million in damages through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Cases like this show why experienced legal support matters. A Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer can help gather records, question facility staff, and take the case to court if a fair settlement isn’t possible.

What Families Can Do If a Nursing Home Fails to Act

If you’re worried that a nursing home is ignoring your loved one’s needs, trust your instincts. You don’t have to wait for permission to step in, especially if someone is in danger. In an emergency, always call 911 first.

For other serious concerns, here are 5 steps you can take right away:

1. Speak with the nursing home staff: Ask direct questions and request care updates in writing.
2. Document what you see and hear: Take photos of injuries, keep a record of missed treatments, and note who you spoke to and when.
3. Talk to the nursing home’s administrator: Escalate your concerns if staff are unresponsive or dismissive.
4. File a complaint with your state’s health department: Every state has an agency that oversees nursing homes and can investigate serious concerns.
5. Contact a nursing home neglect lawyer: If your loved one was seriously harmed or died, legal action may be the only way to hold the facility accountable.

Families often feel powerless when a nursing home stops communicating or ignores warning signs. But you don’t have to wait until it’s too late. Taking these steps can help protect your loved one and may prevent further harm to others in the facility.

Get Help From a Nursing Home Attorney Today

When a nursing home fails to provide basic medical care, the consequences can be deadly. Families deserve answers, and in many cases, legal action is the only way to get them.

If your loved one was seriously harmed or died in a nursing home, speaking with an experienced attorney can help you understand your options.

A qualified nursing home lawyer can fight for the compensation your family may be owed. You don’t have to go through this alone, and you don’t have to wait.

Call (855) 264-6310 or get a free case review now to see if a nursing home abuse lawsuit may be right for your family.