(914) 220-1086Cindy Frey, the widow of late Eagle’s co-founder Glenn Frey, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Mt. Sinai hospital and physician Steven Itzkowitz. The lawsuit alleges the hospital and doctor were negligent in failing to properly diagnose and treat the health conditions that led to his untimely death in January 2016. Frey died at the age of 67 from complications resulting from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia, according to The Rolling Stone.
According to the lawsuit, Glenn Frey was under the care of the Upper East Side hospital and Dr. Itzkowitz between October 2015 and November 2015. The lawsuit alleges that a competent doctor, acting in similar circumstances, would have diagnosed and promptly treated the Eagles co-founder’s “ulcerative colitis and associated symptoms.” Ulcerative colitis is a form of irritable bowel disease. Further, the lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court, the lowest court in the Empire State, a competent doctor would have assessed Frey’s respiratory problems – the ultimate cause of his death. Dr. Itzkowitz, according to the lawsuit, did not properly check for the problems, diagnose the infection, or hospitalize him.
According to Frey’s widow, the doctor and hospital’s negligence led to the “sick, sore, lame and disabled” condition her husband was left in shortly before his death. In addition, the lawsuit seeks damages relating to pain and suffering and loss of consortium. According to the lawsuit, Frey’s family “was deprived of his care, guidance, and support, and they have suffered financial damage.” In addition to his wife, Frey is survived by his three children.
The lawsuit was filed just shortly within the two-year statute of limitations for New York wrongful death actions. According to New York law, a person seeking to file a wrongful death lawsuit must first consult with doctors to determine if a medical malpractice lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit is appropriate given the unique facts and circumstances before filing the lawsuit in a state court. The law, however, makes an exception when lawyers cannot reasonably obtain a consultation by doctors in the state.
Cindy Frey declined to elaborate on the substance of the lawsuit, beyond the allegations in the complaint. Speaking to Reuters, Mt. Sinai spokeswoman Lucia Lee said the hospital does not comment on pending litigation.
