Content Reviewed by:
Steven M Levin
Content Reviewed by: Steven M Levin
Since 1976, Steve Levin has been dedicated to helping people injured by others’ negligence. He is one of the first attorneys in the U.S. to prosecute nursing homes for abuse and negligence. He’s also helped write new legislation that governs the operation of nursing homes, including the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act. Moreover, Levin & Perconti has obtained the top three jury verdicts in nursing home negligence cases in Illinois.
Freeport Nursing Home Man’s Death Certificate Now Reads ‘Gross Negligence’
A nursing home in Freeport, Illinois, Pearl Pavilion, is facing a lawsuit after the family of one deceased resident says the facility is responsible for the 56-year-old man’s untimely death. The family of Keith Printz, who was being provided care at the home located at 900 Kiwanis Drive, says staff failed to provide him life-saving medication.
According to a lawsuit filed by Levin & Perconti on behalf of Printz’s family:
- In October 2019, Printz was sent to the long-term care facility for rehabilitation for his legs.
- Three days later, he suffered a pulmonary embolism and was rushed to the hospital.
- His family says the home did not administer his prescribed blood thinners and ultimately caused his preventable death.
His daughter says, “They ignored him, and they just left him in his room to die.”
State Investigation Reveals Provider Negligence and Prompts Death Certificate Revision
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) followed up on complaints filed by Printz’s family. The investigation ultimately led to a cause of death change on his death certificate from “medical” to “grossly negligent medical care.”
Stephenson County Deputy Coroner Montana Bartell responded in a recent news report stating, “It has to be proven that it was negligence, and that’s something that our office can’t always prove, without the Illinois Department of Public Health to go ahead and do that investigation …”
Most Recent IDPH Survey Shows Excessive Facility Failures
A review of a May 2021 IDPH survey and inspection documented over 13 facility citations, including:
- Failed to provide care to residents in a dignified manner.
- Failed to give requested fluids to a resident with a history of dehydration, and ensuring accurate documentation was present in a resident’s electronic health records.
- Failed to ensure advanced directives were accurately documented in resident’s electronic health records.
- Failed to protect and keep the confidentiality of a resident’s medical records by leaving the computer screen with a resident’s medication administration record up when not at the medication cart.
- Failed to report an allegation of verbal abuse
- Failed to thoroughly investigate an allegation of verbal abuse and submit a final investigation to IDPH within five working days.
- Failed to give residents showers.
- Failed to ensure suprapubic catheter care and maintenance was completed.
- Failed to identify a significant weight loss in residents.
- Failed to have sufficient staff to meet all resident’s needs.
- Failed to ensure residents were monitored during medication administration, expired medications were not given to a resident, and expired medications were not stored in the medication cart.
- Failed to serve food to the residents with a palatable flavor, hot temperature, and quantities to satisfy the residents.
Levin & Perconti attorney and firm partner Jaime Koziol-Delaney is representing the family and says Printz’s death was part of a “systemic failure.”
Holding Nursing Homes Accountable
If you suspect any injury resulting from neglect or abuse at Pearl Pavilion in Freeport, or your loved one’s Illinois nursing home, contact the attorneys of Levin & Perconti now at 1-877-374-1417 or in Chicago at 312-332-2872 for a free consultation. With over half a billion dollars recovered for our clients, let our nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys put more than 150 years of combined experience in successfully fighting Illinois nursing homes to work for you.
