Suit: Patient died from lack of oxygen after tracheotomy tube became dislodged

The family of a Cook County woman is suing over claims she died as a result of the negligent placement of a tracheotomy tube.

Scott Bearrows, as special administrator of the Estate of Ronna Bearrows, filed a wrongful death lawsuit June 26 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Cornerstone.

According to the complaint, Ronna was admitted to a hospital owned by Cornerstone on May 1, 2013, and on May 8, 2013, while on a ventilator, her tracheotomy tube became dislodged, depriving her of oxygen for more than 10 minutes.

Bearrows accuses Cornerstore of failing to monitor Ronna and respond to alarms. The lawsuit states Ronna sustained injuries and died on May 13, 2013 as a direct result of the defendant's negligence.

Bearrows is seeking unspecified monetary damages and is being represented in the case by attorney Devon C. Bruce of Power, Rogers & Smith in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L006776.

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.