Paulson v. County of De Kalb

Defendant, the County of De Kalb, operates the De Kalb County Nursing Home (nursing home). After a trial, a jury awarded plaintiff, Ethel M. Paulson, $20,000 as compensation for injuries she sustained while she was a resident of the nursing home. Pursuant to section 3—602 of the Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45/3—602 (West 1992)), the trial court trebled the damage award and entered a judgment in plaintiff’s favor in the amount of $60,000. Defendant appeals, contending that (1) the damages awarded pursuant to section 3—602 are punitive damages and (2) because section 2—102 of the Local…