Estate of patient who died at Danville nursing home files wrongful death suit

DANVILLE, Ill. (WAND) - Court records show that a Danville nursing facility is being sued after the 2024 death of a patient.

The wrongful death suit filed in Vermilion County Circuit Court claims that staff members at Goldwater Care Danville failed to adequately respond when the patient aspirated while eating his lunch on Sept. 19, 2024.

According to the complaint, staff members did not contact paramedics or other emergency services and were not able to find the on-site medical equipment that could help clear the patient's lungs in a timely manner.

A nurse practitioner at the facility was also not contacted in a timely manner, the complaint alleges. When staff members did contact the nurse practitioner, they were able to find the equipment and use it on the patient—who died later that evening.

The lawsuit alleges that Goldwater Care Danville's employees were negligent in failing to follow physician orders and a care plan in effect for the patient, delayed in taking them to the hospital and failed to have adequate training measures and equipment in place to address an aspiration event.

WAND News reached out to Goldwater Care for a response and has not heard back.

The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $300,000.