CHICAGO — Next of kin are suing Advocate Health and doctors Steven C. Schaefer, James C. Doherty and Martin Benjamin, citing alleged negligence and wrongful death.
Elizabeth Rafferty, Stephen Coyle, Ann Marie Sanfilippo and Tracy Coyle filed a complaint on Aug. 13 in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging Margaret D. Coyle was being treated by the defendants in August 2016 for an existing medical condition, when gastrointestinal contents leaked into her abdominal cavity, causing severe infection, multiple organ failure and ultimately, her death.
The plaintiffs hold Advocate Health and other defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly allowed or caused a defect during a surgery that resulted in the patient's death, failed to determine signs and symptoms that were evident post surgery, and failed to refer decedent to other physicians for effective and timely treatment.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendant in an amount greater than $50,000, costs of action and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
They are represented by Terrence M. Jordan of Jordan Law PC in Chicago, Mary A. Lopez of The Integrity Law Group LLC in Chicago and Michael C. Goode of Law Office of Michael C. Goode in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court Case number 18-L-8712