Chicago-Area Resident Seeks $50,000 for Alleged Nursing Home Abuse

By Daniel Hawn

Published on January 17, 2007

Capriotti was admitted to Prairie Manor on March 23. During the initial part of her recovery, she was allegedly seated upright by nursing home staff; however, because her balance was poor due to the stroke, she fell on April 3, hitting her head. According to her attorney, Susan Novosad, a physician who evaluated Capriotti upon her release from the facility believes she may have sustained a second stroke after the fall.

On May 5, the nursing home staff allegedly became aware Capriotti was suffering from bedsores. Her family, however, remained uninformed until she was admitted to the hospital on May 15. According to Capriotti's suit, which seeks at least $50,000 in damages, the bedsores were severe enough that they must have been evidenced much earlier. Novosad believes this proves that Capriotti was not evaluated for an extended period of time before May 5.

A spokeswoman for Care Centers Inc., which operates Prairie Manor and 25 other facilities in the Chicago area, said the company had not received a copy of the suit, but declined further comment. According to Novosad, Prairie Manor was recently investigated over Capriotti's injuries and was cited by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

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