Chicago woman's estate sues Alden Wentworth Rehab for malpractice

The estate of a Chicago woman has sued the doctors and a Chicago rehabilitation center that were last in charge of her care.

Janet Gogins, representative of the estate of Alice Gogins, filed suit April 13 in Cook County Circuit Court against Alden Wentworth, Alden-Wentworth Rehabilitation and Health Care Center Inc., Dr. Robin Mathias and Dr. Emmanuel Paintsil, citing medical malpractice.

According to the complaint, on Aug. 18, 2012, Alice Gogins became a patient of Alden Rehab, suffering from diabetes, hypertension, peripheral arterial vascular disease and dementia. The suit states at admission Gogins had no ulcers, but within several weeks of admission, she had heel ulcers, which, over time, caused infection, additional medical treatment, surgery and a limb amputation that "caused or contributed to her ultimate death."

The facility and its medical team, according to the suit, violated the Nursing Home Care Act in neglecting Gogins by failing to "provide adequate and sufficient medical and personal care and maintenance."

Janet Grogins seeks damages of more than $550,000 - $50,000 for each of 11 counts against the defendants - plus costs. She is represented by attorney Colleen L. Murphy, of Steinberg, Burtker and Grossman, in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-3789.