Man Files Lawsuit Against Advocate Condell Alleging he was Beaten, Kicked

A lawsuit has been filed against Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville by a 66-year-old man who says he was punched, kicked, bitten and stomped on while trying to leave the hospital to seek treatment elsewhere. 

The man, Richard Wallace, is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

According to a press release provided by attorney Tim Johnston of Libertyville-based Roach Johnston & Thut, Wallace was suffering from symptoms of a transient ischemic attack, or mini-stroke, when he voluntarily checked himself into Advocate Condell on Sept. 5.

"Mr. Wallace's primary care physician had advised him to immediately seek medical attention in the event of any adverse symptoms," said Johnston. 

About 6.5 hours later, Wallace had not yet been seen by a doctor, Johnston said, and the man had been denied food—along with his doctor-prescribed medication—by Advocate Condell staff.

Johnston added that when Wallace experienced a back spasm and "cried out for assistance from a nearby employee of Advocate Condell," the woman's response was, "What do you want me to do about it?" 

Wallace then decided to voluntarily discharge himself from the hospital so he could seek treatment at Highland Park Hospital, Johnston said. The man walked out of the emergency room and alleges that he was then "surrounded by seven security guards employed by Advocate Condell, who pushed, punched and tackled him. One guard threatened Mr. Wallace, saying, 'We'll beat you to a pulp unless you get back into the emergency room,'" Johnston said. 

Wallace alleges that he was bitten twice, and his feet were stomped on. He says he was also injected with narcotics by a nurse to subdue him, and then shackled to a gurney, Johnston said. Wallace suffered sprained knees, bruises and lacerations, Johnston said.

Christine Vicik, director of public affairs and marketing for Advocate Condell, said the hospital learned of the lawsuit by press release Monday afternoon.

"As a healing ministry, we take these allegations very seriously and are investigating the suit's claims," Vicik said, declining to comment further due to the matter involving pending litigation "and as part of our ongoing commitment to patient privacy."