Clifford Law Offices filed a complaint against the University of Chicago Hospital and one of its doctors for negligently causing the death of Ruth Colby, 69, who died last October following complications following a surgical procedure performed last September.
Keith A. Hebeisen, partner at Clifford Law Offices filed the complaint on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, against the University of Chicago Hospitals and Health Systems and Dr. Husam H. Balkhy for negligence in his attempt to repair her heart valve on September 25, 2023.
The complaint alleges that the doctor recommended a minimally invasive robotic heart valve procedure. Following the lengthy procedure, Colby was unable to transition off of bypass and suffered severe heart failure. She was transferred from the operating room to the intensive care unit in critical condition and died approximately three weeks later while still in the care of the defendants.
“Our expert report states that Ms. Colby underwent the wrong procedure which was negligently performed,” Hebeisen said. “We intend to get to the bottom of what happened because Ms. Colby did everything as she was advised and relied on this hospital and its doctor to properly treat her condition without her dying.”
David Chodak, Colby’s son, is the plaintiff and the executor of her estate. She is also survived by her husband Donald DeFrank.
Colby had served as chief executive officer of Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox for six years. She was mourned by the community as a “visionary leader.”
Case No. 2024 L 001696
For further information or for a copy of the filed complaint, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).