Woman sues nursing home

A Harvard woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a Chicago nursing home, alleging that they failed to prevent a fall that led to her mother’s death.

Jennifer Bowden of Harvard is suing Sacred Heart Home in Chicago, said her attorney, Mike Bonamarte with Chicago-based Levin and Perconti law firm.

Bowden’s mother, Kathleen Koch, died after suffering from a broken back, head injuries and paralysis after she allegedly fell in a stairwell at the home, Bonamarte alleged. The fall happened Dec. 21, and she died eight months later at 61 years old.

The case alleges that staff should have better supervised Koch because they knew she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

However, her room was not near a nurse’s station, and Koch was able to go into the stairwell unsupervised, Bonamarte said.

“She was the type of resident that needed to be closely monitored and supervised,” he said. “And what we know is that wasn’t done.”

The amount Bowden is suing for has yet to be determined, but the lawsuit was filed as a claim seeking in excess of $50,000.

“We would seek a much greater amount than that,” Bonamarte said. “We haven’t put a value on the case yet.”

Sacred Heart Home declined comment on the matter.