$1.15 Million Settlement for Death of Diabetic Nursing Home Resident

Mary Stevens, 57, was an Alzheimer’s disease victim who also had uncontrolled diabetes. She was admitted to Eastern Pines Convalescent Center for just eleven days when she suffered a hypoglycemic shock and was transferred to a nearby hospital.

A week later, Stevens died, reportedly from the hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition caused by low blood sugar or glucose in the body’s bloodstream. Glucose is the body’s main energy source. Hypoglycemia is commonly a condition that is found in individuals who are being treated for diabetes. Hypoglycemia is not a disease by itself, but it’s an indicator of a health problem or illness. It is like a fever is to the flu.

Stevens was survived by her two adult children. On behalf of the family, one of the daughters sued the nursing home’s owner, claiming wrongful death. The lawsuit alleged that the nursing home and staff were negligent and violated the applicable state nursing home regulations.

Among other things, the lawsuit brought by the Stevens family alleged that the nursing home staff chose not to monitor Mary at meals and did not implement an appropriate care plan. A care plan would have included the proper and safe use of insulin in association with food intake.

The defendant nursing home maintained that Stevens’s morning meals were monitored and that they complied with the nursing home regulations.

A jury trial ensued, which resulted in a $1.1 million verdict. Later on, the Stevens family and the nursing home agreed to a settlement at $1.15 million.

The Stevens family’s attorney was Thomas S. Howard and Deborah Gough.

Magill v. E. Pines Convalescent Ctr., No. ATL-L-6139-10 (N.J., Atlantic Co. Super. June 27, 2013).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling nursing home abuse cases and nursing home wrongful death matters for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 37 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Libertyville, Blue Island, Vernon Hills, Prospect Heights, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Kildeer, Long Grove, Buffalo Grove, South Barrington, Deerfield, Glenview and Countryside, Ill.