Update: Cook County court records indicate this case was dismissed by stipulation or agreement on Aug. 9, 2016.
The administrator of an estate is suing two doctors and hospital after a woman died from cancer.
Erika Elam-Prewitt, as independent administrator of the Estate of Linda Davis-Wharton, filed a wrongful death lawsuit Oct. 9 in Cook County Circuit Court against University of Chicago Medical Center, Dr. Robert Steffner and Dr. Eldin Karaikovic.
The suit names Dr. Geraldine Newmark and Dr. John Ebihara as respondents-in-discovery.
According to the complaint, Linda Davis-Wharton was treated by Steffner, a resident-physician specializing in orthopedic surgery, and Karaikovic, an orthopedic surgeon.
The suit alleges that Steffner ordered a CT scan on Jan. 9, 2011, and failed to follow up on a lump on Davis-Wharton's left upper lung lobe, which was noted as needing further investigation.
On Jan. 13, 2013, Davis-Wharton was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and died less than a month later on Feb. 6, leaving behind her husband, John Wharton, and her daughter, the independent administrator of the estate.
The suit further alleges that Newmark and Ebihara, the respondents-in-discovery, had relevant knowledge of the content of the CT scan.
Elam-Prewitt is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 from Steffner and Karaikovic, and a response to discovery from Newmark and Ebihara.
She is represented by attorneys David J. Pritchard and Aaron D. Boeder of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.
Circuit Court of Cook County No. 2013L011211.
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Circuit Court of Cook County. 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.