Libertyville man says he was beaten in suit against Advocate Condell

A Libertyville man who says he was injured when he was beaten by security guards and chemically restrained by a nurse at Advocate Condell Medical Center as he tried to check himself out is seeking punitive damages of more than $3 million.

Advocate Condell, seven unknown security guards and a nurse were named as defendants in the complaint filed Monday in Lake County circuit court on behalf of Richard G. Wallace, 66, involving actions on Sept. 5.

According to the complaint, Wallace, who has an enlarged heart and two partially replaced knees, went to the emergency room for symptoms of a “mini-stroke.” The suit alleges Wallace was not seen by a doctor and was denied food and his prescribed medication for 6½ hours as he waited in the emergency room.

He walked out without shoes and aided by a cane after having a back spasm and seeing no doctor or nurse would come to his aid, the suit contends.

According to the complaint, Wallace was surrounded by seven security guards about 100 yards from the lobby entrance, choked, bitten, had his testicles squeezed and twisted and was repeatedly punched.

As a result, Wallace suffered sprains to both knees, had swelling and deep bruises to several areas on his body and other injuries, the suit alleges.

After being restrained, a nurse forcibly administered an injection of Haldol to prevent Wallace from “exercising his right to discharge himself,” according to the suit. He was taken inside, shackled to a gurney and given a second injection of Haldol, the suit alleges.

“As a healing ministry, we take these allegations very seriously and are investigating the suit’s claims. Because this matter involves pending litigation and as part of our ongoing commitment to patient privacy, we are unable to offer any further comment at this time,” Christine D. Vicik, director of public affairs and marketing for Advocate Condell said in a statement.