The sister of a Chicago Heights man with Down syndrome is suing St. James Hospital and Health Centers, alleging that her brother choked on a sandwich and died while in the hospital’s care.
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Guy Petrarca, 56, had no teeth and a medical history that included mental retardation and Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder, according to the suit.
The lawsuit filed by Petrarca’s sister Maria Zerante alleges that Petrarca was admitted to St. James in September 2012 and diagnosed with acute pneumonia due to aspiration after he choked from eating too fast. While in the care of the hospital, according to the suit, Petrarca was placed on a restricted diet because of his mental disabilities and lack of teeth.
There were clear orders on his chart for him to be monitored at all times and to be assisted with his meals, according to the suit.
On Oct. 4, however, he was given an egg sandwich “or something similar” for breakfast by an unknown employee of the hospital and was left unattended while eating, the suit alleges.
Petrarca choked on the meal and was found unresponsive after an unknown period of time, according to the suit. Petrarca died Oct. 10.