In a striking case of alleged legal malpractice, a resident of Illinois has taken her legal representatives to court over claims of negligence and breach of duty. Adria Orue filed the complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on April 21, 2025, against attorney Elise Blandin and the law firm Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, Ltd. The lawsuit accuses them of failing to file a timely medical malpractice claim following her surgery in 2021.
The story unfolds with Adria Orue suffering injuries from a double mastectomy and subsequent reconstruction surgeries performed by Dr. Nora Hansen, Dr. Natalie Luehmann, Dr. Robert Galliano, and Dr. Marco Ellis on April 21, 2021. These injuries included pain, suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of earnings—ailments that are permanent and require ongoing medical treatment. On March 12, 2023, Orue retained Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates to represent her in seeking compensation for these injuries due to alleged medical malpractice.
According to the complaint filed by Orue's attorneys at the Law Offices of Craig L. Manchik & Associates P.C., Elise Blandin was responsible for filing the necessary legal documents but failed to do so before the statute of limitations expired on November 17, 2023. Despite Blandin’s assurance via text message on April 20, 2023, that the complaint had been filed timely—a statement later proven false—the defendants did not file until it was too late.
Orue's allegations include several breaches by Blandin and her firm: failure to file the complaint within the statute of limitations; not naming responsible parties promptly; neglecting to obtain expert consultations essential for pursuing malpractice claims; inaccurately informing Orue about her case status; and overall negligence in their representation duties. As a result of these actions—or lack thereof—Orue claims she lost her right to recover damages for her surgical injuries permanently.
The plaintiff is seeking judgment against both Blandin and Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates in excess of $100,000 as compensation for her sustained injuries due to their purported negligence. The case emphasizes the importance of timely legal action and accurate communication between attorneys and clients.
Representing Adria Orue are attorneys Lynne Plum Duffey and Craig L. Manchik from the Law Offices of Craig L. Manchik & Associates P.C., located in Chicago. The case has been assigned Case ID: 2025L005336 under Judge Mariyana T. Spyropoulos at the Circuit Court of Cook County.