Sister of woman who died from coronavirus sues Westchester nursing home

The sister of a woman who died from complications related to the coronavirus is suing the west suburban long-term care facility where she lived.

Rita Saunders, 64, died on March 31 from acute respiratory distress syndrome and COVID-19, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court.

Saunders’ sister, Eileen Walsh, accuses Westchester Health and Rehabilitation Center of “years, if not decades,” of mismanagement that contributed to a delayed response to prevent the spread of the virus.

State public health records show 12 COVID-19-related deaths at Westchester Health and 43 reported cases.

The suit claims Westchester Health failed to provide personal protective equipment to staff working with residents and did not conduct widespread testing for the virus before March 28.

Additionally, Westchester Health has been cited by state regulators for its infection controls and preventions in most years since 2011, the suit claims, and was not well prepared for the outbreak of the virus.

A representative for the facility, located 2901 Wolf Road, declined to comment on the suit, but said: “We continue to focus on the care and services we provide to the residents we have the privilege to serve and we thank all of our staff for their continued diligence and commitment.”

The suit seeks more than $50,000 in damages for alleged negligence and violations of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act.