Woman Claims She Suffered Torn Rotator Cuff During Rehab

A woman has filed a personal injury suit against St. Claire’s Hospital and Saint Anthony’s Hospital, claiming that she was forced to stand alone during therapeutic exercises for her rehabilitation, which caused her to fall and tear her rotator cuff.

According to the suit Darlene Westmoreland filed in Illinois’ Madison County Circuit Court on May 8, she was admitted to St. Anthony’s on May 17, 2007 for comprehensive rehabilitation following surgery on her left knee.

Westmoreland claims that during the rehabilitation process, hospital employees failed to provide her with proper supervision and failed to hold her as she was standing and performing therapeutic exercises. She said she was also asked and allowed to stand at a time when she was not supposed to put any weight on her left leg.

Westmoreland claims the incident caused her to fall and tear her rotator cuff, requiring her to undergo an addition surgical procedure, and caused her to experience pain and suffering and lost enjoyment of life and incur medical costs.