Family of 38-year-old mother who died day after surgery sues doctor, hospital

The estate of a Chicago mother who died in 2013 from heart complications stemming from surgery has sued those allegedly responsible for any oversights that were made.

Magen Willis, administrator of the estate of Towanda Willis, filed suit May 6 in Cook County Circuit Court against Dr. Chen Wang, South Shore Hospital Corp. and South Shore Hospital Corp., doing business as Highland Medical Center, alleging negligence.

According to the complaint, on July 27, 2013, Towanda Willis, 38, began treatment with the defendants, complaining of excessive menstrual bleeding and fibroid uterus. Three days later, she had surgery at South Shore Hospital in Chicago, in particular "a dilatation and curettage, diagnostic laparoscopy, exploratory laparotomy, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and lysis of multiple adhesions," the suit says.

The next day, the lawsuit states, Towanda Willis showed signs of a bilateral pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, which resulted in cardiopulmonary arrest and death the same day.  She had two daughters, who are the ward of the elder Willis, who is the administrator of her estate.

According to the lawsuit, the patient should have been advised of "any less invasive or less risky, treatment, procedures or surgeries available to her."

The plaintiff alleges several counts of negligence, informed consent and violation of the Family Expense Act against the defendants.

Magen Willis seeks $350,000, plus costs. She is represented by attorney Jill M. Webb, of the Phillips Law Offices in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No.: 15-L-4664.