(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Family members of a woman who coroners say froze to death on the roof of a hospital in Waukegan are now suing that hospital – as the facility's owners call for the coroner's office to be removed from the investigation.
It's the latest on a story we first reported Monday about the death of 28-year-old Chelsea Adolphus, who family members say went to Vista Medical Center East last week for a relatively minor issue, and wound up stuck on the roof of the facility with no way to get back inside.
Attorney Ben Crump announced on Wednesday that his firm has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Vista East and its owners on behalf of Chelsea Adolphus' family.
Her brother Paul Junior says he and his sister had planned to open a restaurant this year to benefit their mother.
“My sister was not supposed to be dead. If my sister didn't go to the hospital, I would still have my sister right now.”
The Lake County coroner – who is a former employee of Vista East – says Chelsea Adolphus died of hypothermia last week, and raised questions about the quality of care there.
Now, executives at the hospital have formally asked a judge to remove her from the investigation, saying she cannot be unbiased.
A spokesperson for the hospital's owner has released a statement offering condolences for her death.
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