A patient is suing a Cook County podiatrist and his practice following treatments that the plaintiff claims led to serious but avoidable injuries from 2012 to 2014.
Helen Martin of Chicago Heights brought a lawsuit against Frank Narcisi Jr. and Specialty Physicians of Illinois LLC on Sept. 3 in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging medical malpractice originating in December 2012, when she first consulted with the doctor.
The suit states that Martin became a patient of the defendant at his 275 W. 201st St. location in Chicago Heights on or about Dec. 28, 2012. According to the complaint, Narcisi diagnosed a “chronic irritation on the posterior medial aspects of both heels,” which he treated by “debriding” the area at least 14 times between October 2013 and May 2014.
The lawsuit states that the podiatrist should have known that Martin was at risk of poor wound healing based on her history and presentation. Martin alleges that as a result of the defendant’s negligence, she developed osteomyelitis and was required to seek further medical care, including surgery for amputation.
The plaintiff charges the defendant with failure to perform and review proper clinical testing to evaluate circulation in her feet prior to the procedures, to consult with specialists, diagnose infection during examinations, and to maintain proper medical records and treatment documentation.
Claiming disfigurement, lost wages and diminished daily activities, the plaintiff seeks more than $50,000, plus attorney’s fees and costs. She is represented by Daniel McLean of Karlin, Fleisher, & Falkenberg in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number unspecified.