Franciscan Alliance sued for medical malpractice

Franciscan Alliance facilities are facing suit over claims they provided inadequate medical care.

Ronald Henchel and Linda Novak, as independent co-executors of the Estate of Elizabeth Ann Henchel, filed a lawsuit Oct. 31 in Cook County Circuit Court against Franciscan Alliance Inc.., doing business as St. James Hospital and Health Centers, Franciscan St. James Health Olympia Fields, Franciscan St. James Hospital and Franciscan St. James Health Center, citing the survival, wrongful death and negligence.

The suit states that on Nov. 1, 2011, Elizabeth Ann Henchel arrived at the emergency room at Franciscan St. James Health Olympia Fields and was admitted to the hospital.

While a patient, Elizabeth fell and sustained a hip fracture, according to the suit that notes  she was then transferred to the defendant's facility in Chicago Heights to undergo surgery for the fracture.

The plaintiffs contend that while Elizabeth was a patient, the defendants failed to properly move, secure and care for her, failed to take Elizabeth's history of falling into consideration, failed to provide adequate medical care, failed to properly monitor and failed to meet Elizabeth's needs.

The plaintiffs are seeking more than $50,000 in damages. They are being represented in the case by Howard M. Zavell of Dickler, Kahn, Slowikowski & Zavell Ltd.

Cook County Circuit Court case No. 2013L012037.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.