Psychiatrist blamed for patient's suicide

A widow claims an Edwardsville psychiatrist is to blame for her husband's suicide.

Carmen Huff, on behalf of herself and as special administrator of her deceased husband's estate, filed the negligence claim against Dr. Mark Freeman and Illinois Associates in Psychiatry on Jan. 6 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Huff says her husband, Kelly, was seeing Dr. Freeman at Illinois Associates in Psychiatry for treatment of depression. She contends the specialist and his practice have a duty to treat patients with the standard of care necessary to "prevent patients from injuring themselves and others because of their illness."

Huff says her husband committed suicide. She says his actions were caused by Dr. Freeman's lack of proper care. Huff accuses the psychiatrist and Illinois Associates in Psychiatry of medical negligence, survivorship and loss of consortium. The widow says her husband "suffered conscious pain and suffering prior to his death".

She says she has suffered severely since his suicide and has been deprived of companionship and affection.

Huff claims she has tried to get copies of her late husband's medical records from Dr. Freeman but his office has allegedly refused to provide those. She is asking for access to the records and more than $300,000 in damages and court costs.

Attorney Dr. Rocco Marrese of Edwardsville is representing Huff.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-24