Strom & Associates Win $1,000,000 Award In Fight That Proves Bed Sores Are Avoidable

Every once in a while you meet a hero – someone with the courage to fight for what they believe
in. Bo Wazydrag is such a hero. She had the courage to advocate on behalf of her severely
injured husband, Jerzy, so that he would receive the quality of care that he deserved.

Jerzy Wazydrag was a hard working and devoted husband and father. He and Bo were busy
raising their three children, 13 year old Maggie, 10 year old Jacob and 4 year old John, when
their life was tragically and permanently altered. During a work related accident, Jerzy fell 16
feet from a construction vehicle causing severe trauma to his brain. His injuries resulted in
quadriplegia. Jerzy no longer had sensation or movement in his arms or legs and could no
longer speak.

When it was time for Jerzy to be released from the hospital, doctors discussed Jerzy’s 24 hour a
day care needs and the health risks that Jerzy would face, including pressure sores, which
develop from staying in the same position for an extended period of time.

Despite Bo’s desire to have Jerzy at home, Bo agreed with the doctors’ recommendation that
Jerzy be released to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. Bo would use this time to acquire
the knowledge and modify their home with the medical and practical equipment they would need
to care for Jerzy.

Bo visited several skilled nursing facilities to ensure that her husband would receive the best
quality care. Bo chose Alden North Shore, which appeared to be cleaner and more cheerful
than the other facilities she had visited. The administrator assured Bo that Alden had trained
staff experienced in caring for Jerzy’s health care needs.

“I chose Alden because they promised that they would provide the best care for my husband.
Each day, I arrived at Alden early in the morning and stayed until late evening. As time went on,
I found myself constantly reminding the staff to reposition Jerzy. Most of the time, I would do it
myself or ask a member of my family to help me,” Bo said.

She added, “More often than not I would arrive in the morning to find Jerzy in the same position
as when I left him the night before. Before long, Jerzy had bed sores on his tailbone, hips and
heels. When I complained, Alden’s excuse was that bed sores were unavoidable for a man in
my husband’s condition. I removed Jerzy from Alden’s care.”

Neal Strom, Steven Levin, and Mike Bonamarte represented Bo in the lawsuit again Alden
North Shore.

Mr. Strom commented, “Bo is the real hero in this story. She refused to accept Alden’s excuses
for Jerzy’s neglect. She moved Jerzy to RML Specialty Hospital in Hinsdale. It took one year for
doctors to heal the severe pressure ulcers (bed sores) on his tailbone, right and left hips, and
right and left heels caused by Aldne’s failure to reposition Jerzy but, ultimately, they were able
to restore the health of his skin.”

Steve Levin added, “Alden North Shore claimed that pressure ulcers were an unavoidable side
effect for quadriplegic patients. We were able to refute their claim by introducing evidence that
since leaving the facility, Jerzy’s wife and home health care nurses continue to keep his skin
clear and free of sores.”

Mr. Strom and Mr. Levin said, “Bo Wazydrag has proven without a doubt that patients with
complex medical conditions, like quadriplegia, need not live with painful and life threatening bed
sores. Nursing home resident have a right to expect the quality of care that Bo provided for her
husband. No one should have to live or die in pain that could have been treated.”

Michael Bonamarte commented, “This is a classic example of a nursing home facility that was
understaffed and inadequately trained and supervised. When Jerzy was admitted to the nursing
home, they promised that they could meet his care needs. The nursing home broke their
promise to Jerzy and his family and, as a result, Jerzy needlessly suffered.”

An order was entered on June 14, 2007 by Judge Maddux, the presiding judge of the Circuit
Court of Cook County, approving a $1 million settlement on behalf of Jerzy Wazydrag against
Alden North Shore Nursing Home.

“The lawyers have been very professional and very good to work with. He was there for me
right from the start to guide me through the process. He answered all my questions the whole
way through so that I was prepared for what I had to do,” said Bo.

Levin concluded, “We live in a country that values the rights of individuals and yet the elderly
and those with serious health issues have come to fear losing their dignity or burdening their
family more than they fear dying. This case is another sad reminder that we must protect the
rights of the sick, or dying with the same consideration as we show for the young or healthy.”