Suit claims doctor failed to diagnose cardiac disease

A man claims his deceased wife's doctor treated her negligently leading to a heart attack that killed her.

Thomas M. Frawley filed a lawsuit on Oct. 1 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Dr. Aristides Garces and Dr. Garces' employer, Illini Family Medicine, claiming damages under the Illinois Wronful Death and Illinois Survival Acts.

Frawley, appointed administrator of his wife's estate by the 20th Judicial Circuit on Sept. 28, says Dr. Garces treated his wife, Shirley Rae Frawley, as her family practice physician from April 4, 1990 until Oct. 3, 2008.

Frawley says the physician was allegedly negligent for failing to perform a comprehensive physical exam on his wife, failing to treat her for persistent hyperlipidemia and not recognizing her to be at high risk for cardiac disease. He further claims Dr. Garces didn't appreciate the signs of cardiac disease and failed to refer her to a cardiologist.

Shirley Frawley died of a heart attack on Oct. 11, 2008.

Thomas Frawley says he incurred expenses related to his wife's death, including funeral, cremation and burial costs. He also claims grief, sorrow and mental suffering.

In his complaint, Frawley seeks damages of $50,000 plus costs on two counts each against Dr. Garces and Illini Family Medicine.

Lawrence Hess of the Rex Carr Law Firm is representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-517.