Suit: Bridgeview nursing home, doctor ignored patient's test results, failed to monitor her weight

The family of a deceased woman is suing a Bridgeview nursing home and doctor, claiming they ignored the results of a medical test and failed to property monitor her.

Phyllis Carter, as independent administrator of the Estate of Hazel Carter, filed a lawsuit July 15 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Bridgeview Health Care Center Ltd. and Dr. Susan Albovias, alleging wrongful death and violations of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act.

According to the complaint, Hazel underwent a thyroid stimulating hormone test July 20, 2012, while a resident at Bridgeview Health Care Center, and the results were elevated, showing a risk for weight loss.

Carter claims medical notes showed Hazel lost weight over the next few months and that she was found on the floor with blood on her head on Nov. 10, 2012. The suit alleges she was hospitalized with various medical problems and died on Nov. 17, 2012.

Carter accuses the defendants of failing to report the elevated test levels or properly monitor her weight loss.

She is seeking more than $50,000 in damages and is being represented in the case by attorney Brian K. Hetzer of Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg LLC in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L007416.

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.