On February 15, 2012, a Chicago man filed a medical malpractice and wrongful death suit against Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation, South Suburban Hospital, and its employees. The Plaintiff is represented by Larry R. Rogers, of Power Rogers The lawsuit seeks to hold the doctors, nurses, and hospital responsible for its role in failing to properly treat the Plaintiff’s deceased wife, who died as a result of sickle cell disease with acute chest syndrome.
Plaintiff filed a complaint which states that Plaintiff’s deceased wife presented to Advocate South Suburban Hospital with complaints of chest, general body, back and joint pain. The hospital performed an extensive work-up at which point she was diagnosed with an acute sickle cell crisis. She was then admitted for close monitoring and she was administered intravenous fluids, analgesics, corticosteroids and oxygen therapy.
Shortly after midnight, she began experiencing tachycardia with periods of tachypnea. Her oxygen demands also increased. Over the next 12 hours no additional vital signs were obtained and there is no indication that she was examined by a physician. Later that evening, she was found unresponsive. The Rapid Response Team was notified and upon examination, she was found to be tachycardic and tachypneic. Orders were received and she was immediately transferred to the ICU. Shortly after her arrival to the ICU, she experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest. Resuscitation was unsuccessful and Ms. Williams was pronounced dead.
Plaintiff’s complaint alleges that after a review of the records Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation, South Suburban Hospital, and its employees failed to utilize the knowledge and exercise the skills of reasonably well-qualified physicians and healthcare institutions and were negligent with respect to care rendered to Plaintiff’s deceased wife at Advocate South Suburban Hospital.
Additionally, there was no indication from the records that the doctors and nurses (who were agents and/or employees of the hospital) examined her prior to the deterioration in her medical condition. Plainly, all Defendants failed to re-evaluate and re-assess her. Further, they failed to undertake appropriate measures to attempt to diagnose and treat her condition in a timely manner.
The failures of the doctors and nurses at Advocate South Suburban Hospital above resulted in Plaintiff’s deceased wife’s demise. Ultimately, she was suffering from acute chest syndrome which required prompt treatment. Her undiagnosed and untreated acute chest syndrome thereafter progressed to a cardiopulmonary arrest resulting in her death.