Man sues Stroger Hospital over death of his wife, mother of four children, following pacemaker surgery

A Cook County man has sued Cook County's public hospital, alleging medical staff there did not do enough to save the life of his wife and mother of four children after surgery to implant a pacemaker.

Luis Toro filed a lawsuit individually and as administrator of the estate of Hermelinda Toro May 29 in Cook County Circuit Court against Cook County, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, several doctors, including Pedro Villablance, Yasmeen Golzar, Renaud Geuret, Raja Gummalla, and Douglas Smego, and Kelly Poletis as respondents-in-discovery, alleging wrongful death in 2013.

According to the complaint, from May 10 to June 2, 2013, Hermelinda Toro was admitted, treated and released from Stroger Hospital in Chicago. After the patient was surgically fitted with a pacemaker on May 10, 2013, the suit says, she experienced complications, was readmitted June 6, 2013, suffered cardiac arrest, developed sepsis and died the next day.

The suit cites the hospital and staff with medical negligence in failing to properly assess treat, and monitor the patient and repair her injuries. The complaint states the hospital’s staff members were in breach of duty to care for Hermelinda Toro.

The plaintiff, citing his wife’s pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement and death, alleges loss of support and consortium for himself and their four children, plus funeral and burial expenses.

Toro seeks actual damages of more than $50,000, plus attorney fees and costs. He is represented by attorney Larry R. Rogers Jr., of Power Rogers and Smith in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No.: 15-L-5487.