Mom Says Little Company of Mary Hospital Botched Daughter's Tonsillectomy

Surgical instrument tray | specialtymedicalequip.com

A mother has filed a malpractice and wrongful death suit against an Evergreen Park hospital over claims her daughter was given a fatal dose of morphine while recovering from a tonsillectomy, Cook County Record reports.

Melissa Serviss, mother of Mackenzie Serviss and the independent administrator for her estate, filed the lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court last month.

Named as defendants are Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers, Dr. Veena Bharme, registered nurses Jill Luzzi and Lynn Spanczak, Dr. Nirav Thakkar, Century Ear, Nose, Throat – Head and Neck Surgery Associates, Dr. Jarema Skirnyk and Evergreen Anesthesia & Pain Management Services.

According to the lawsuit, Mackenzie was recovering from surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids to relieve pressure on her eardrums. On April 7, she was given an overdose of morphine after surgery.

The complaint says the painkiller caused Mackenzie to suffer cardiac and respiratory arrest, leading to her death on April 9.

Serviss is asking for damages in excess of $50,000. She is being represented by attorney Richard J. Murphy of Costello, McMahon, Burke & Murphy in Chicago.