Nursing Home to Pay $2.9 Million for Death of Patient

By Daniel Hawn

Published on September 01, 2006

The lawsuit was filed by the estate of Ana Carrasco, 57, of Chicago, against Homewood’s ManorCare Health Services. The suit alleged that staff members at the facility did not properly clean Carrasco’s breathing tube while she was recovering from throat cancer treatment in 2001. The lawsuit claimed Carrasco died as a result of the staff's negligent care.

The plaintiffs’ attorney, Steven Levin, said ManorCare admitted liability and went to trial in order to assess damages for Carrasco’s family.

Jurors listened to testimony for three days before delivering their verdict. The award is the highest ever for the death of a Cook County nursing home resident.

Levin said that when nursing home neglect occurs, it isn’t usually the fault of the facility’s staff but rather that of the owners for failing to supply adequate resources. He said he hopes the jury’s verdict will serve as a lesson to the nursing home industry.

A ManorCare attorney referred questions about the case to the company; however, ManorCare officials could not be reached for comment.

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