Salem Village Sued In Wrongful Death Lawsuit

JOLIET, IL - Relatives of a Joliet man who died last year have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Salem Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The long-term nursing care facility on Joliet's east-side, in the 1300 block of Rowell Ave., is accused of several acts of negligence surrounding the Sept. 12, 2016 death of Michael Morris, who was only 43.

The lawsuit filed at the Will County Courthouse was brought forward by Ruby Morris, the independent administrator of the dead man's estate. According to court records, Salem Village received Medicaid and/or Medicare funding to provide Michael Morris with nursing home care, treatment and related health services. Around July 2015, Morris was admitted to Salem Village for nursing and rehabilitative services.

"While a resident of Salem, Michael developed multiple pressure ulcers including but not limited to, pressure ulcers on his buttocks and (tailbone) which worsened in condition," stated Kristen Koeller, the plaintiff's lawyer, of Steven J. Malman & Associates in Chicago.

The plaintiff's lawyer points out that Salem Village and its employees were prohibited by law from violating the rights of the residents including abuse and neglect. Inevitably, the suit contends, Morris "suffered from an infected tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube, which caused a deterioration in his physical and mental health."

According to Koeller, staff at Salem Village "failed to follow Salem's policies and procedures regarding the care and treatment of a resident like Michael, at high risk for the development of and worsening of pressure ulcers and infections."

The suit seeks more than $50,000 in damages, plus attorneys fees and other costs.