Woman accuses Northwestern Hospital of malpractice that led to delay in cancer diagnosis

A woman is suing over claims she received negligent care from a Chicago hospital and doctor that resulted in an 11-month delay in the diagnosis and treatment of her colon cancer.

Esther Agbeye filed a medical malpractice lawsuit on Feb. 19 in the Cook County District Court against Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Surgical Associates and Dr. Wilson H. Hartz III.

The suit also names Drs. Gerald J. Mingolelli and Thomas Lee as respondents in discovery to give information that could determine if anyone should be named as defendants.

Agbeye claims she consulted the defendants on Feb. 3, 2012 for surgical evaluation and treatment of an abnormal growth in her colon. She alleges the defendants failed to see the abnormal growth and assured her there was no polyp in her colon, which resulted in an 11-month delay in having her colon cancer diagnosed and treated.

According to the suit, Agbeye was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer on Jan. 19, 2013.

She is seeking damages in excess of jurisdictional amount, as well as court costs, and is being represented by Chicago attorneys John B. Kralovec and Melissa K. McCracken of Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz.

Cook County District Court Case No. 2014L001647.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Cook County Courthouse. 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.