The husband of a recently deceased woman alleges his wife died after doctors failed to accurately diagnose her with a syndrome that can occur following exposure to an anticoagulant.
Elizabeth Diericx developed Heparin-Induced Thrombosis after she was exposed to heparin, which is usually used as an injectable anticoagulant, her husband, Aric Diericx, alleges. HIT is an immune response caused from exposure to heparin. It results in a significant drop of platelet counts and can lead to the formation of blood clots during heparin therapy. Elizabeth Diericx’s adverse reaction to heparin caused her death on March 20, 2012, according to the complaint filed Aug. 8 in Madison County Circuit Court.
Before her death, Elizabeth Diericx suffered pain, mental anguish, disability and disfigurement; incurred medical costs; and was deprived from attending to her usual duties and affairs, the suit states.
Aric Diericx and Elizabeth Diericx’s other next-of-kin have been deprived of her love, companionship, society and support; have suffered grief; and have incurred medical and funeral costs, the complaint says.
Aric Diericx blames defendant Drs. Sam Burstein and Eric Lopatin as well as Southwestern Illinois Health Facilities for causing his wife’s death, saying they negligently failed to diagnose Elizabeth Diericx with HIT, failed to adequately inform doctors of her deteriorating condition and failed to invoke a chain of command to intervene on Elizabeth Diericx’s behalf.
In his complaint, Aric Diericx is seeking a judgment of more than $450,000, plus costs.
Thomas Q. Keefe Jr. of Keefe and Keefe in Belleville will be representing him.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-1326.