Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Symphony of Joliet is one of several nursing homes across Illinois that are facing shocking outbreaks of COVID-19. As of June 5th, 2020, the facility has had 132 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 25 deaths, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. To understand that in context, Symphony of Joliet only has 214 beds and an average occupancy of about 169 residents. Even given that some of the 132 infections are among staff, the sheer number of COVID-19 cases at Symphony of Joliet shows that the virus spread to an alarming number of residents at the nursing home.
Moreover, the size of the COVID-19 outbreak at Symphony of Joliet is outside the norm when compared with other nursing homes in Will County. The statistics below show the number of infections and deaths at several other nursing homes in Joliet that are faring better:
- Joliet Terrace – Joliet: 120 beds, 3 cases, 0 deaths
- Lakeshore Health and Rehab – Joliet: 120 beds, 4 cases, 0 deaths
- Salem Village – Joliet: 266 beds, 2 cases, 1 death
- Spring Creek Nursing and Rehab – Joliet: 168 beds, 10 cases, 1 death
Infection Control Problems Found During Health Inspections
It is not surprising that Symphony of Joliet has been so hard hit, considering that recent health inspections at the nursing home have found that the facility “failed to provide and implement an infection prevention and control program” among other problems. In fact, the facility’s 2019 health inspection alone found a total of 20 health deficiencies. Moreover, Symphony of Joliet has been found deficient in infection prevention and control two years in a row–in a 2018 inspection and twice in 2019–due to staff failing to wash their hands or sanitize medical equipment. This created an environment conducive to a viral outbreak like the one we are now seeing. If an infection prevention and control program had been implemented and strictly enforced at Symphony of Joliet, the tragic COVID-19 statistics at the facility might have been avoided.
Lack of Transparency About Coronavirus Outbreak
To make a bad situation worse, Symphony of Joliet was keeping families in the dark about the health of their loved ones, according to a WGN news report. One family was told their sister was fine; then 10 days later learned that she was unresponsive and was being taken to a hospital. She died 24 hours later. Another woman claims she did not even know her husband had COVID-19 until after he passed away. This is an unacceptable way of handling a health crisis. Families–who put their trust in nursing homes–deserve to know what is happening to their loved one so that they can make informed decisions about their care.
Do You Have a COVID-19 Nursing Home Negligence Claim?
If you have a loved one whose health has been seriously injured by the virus or who has died of COVID-19 while a resident at Symphony of Joliet, know that you are not alone. The Illinois nursing home attorneys at The Collins Law Firm can help you. We can determine if the nursing home is liable and fight to get you justice. Fill out our contact form or call us at (630) 527-1595 for a FREE evaluation of your nursing home negligence case.
For more information on health deficiencies at Symphony of Joliet, click here.
To learn more about nursing home negligence, click here.