CHICAGO — A disabled woman's public guardian is suing an attorney for malpractice.
Charles Golbert, acting Cook County public guardian and the plenary guardian of Julia Jackson, filed a complaint in Cook County Circuit Court against Richard Kocurek, alleging the defendant breached his duties of care, competent professional judgment, skill and reasonable diligence.
According to the complaint, after her husband's death, 91-year-old Julia Jackson's great-niece, Karlan Basak, hired Kocurek to prepare powers of attorney. While suffering from dementia and an untreated hip fracture, and subject to the undue influence of Basak, Jackson allegedly lost more than $50,000 as a result of the defendant's alleged negligence in counseling her on legal matters.
Golbert claims Kocurek engaged in malpractice when he allegedly failed to explain any of the matters to Jackson to the extent reasonably necessary for her to make an informed decision regarding the powers granted to Basak.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks a judgment greater than the jurisdictional minimum of $30,000, plus costs. He is represented by himself and Daniel J. Silton of the Office of the Public Guardian in Chicago.