Conan Smith, 74, who suffered from mild dementia, was temporarily placed in an Illinois nursing home while his wife recovered from a fractured arm in November 1998. His wife sued the nursing home for negligence following his death from an infection in April 1999.

Within five months after he entered the home, Smith could not walk. He lost 30 pounds in 30 days and developed Stage IV decubitis ulcers. The ulcers became infected and caused Smith’s death on April 14, 1999.

His wife claimed the nursing home failed to prevent and to properly treat the ulcers. She also claimed that Smith had a fever for several days, and the nursing home failed to monitor him for infection.

The nursing home contended that the ulcer progressed very quickly and was not preventable.