A prisoner in Illinois has filed a lawsuit against several medical and correctional officials, alleging negligence and inadequate medical care that left him severely disabled. Michael W. Flemming, the plaintiff, submitted his complaint to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on September 23, 2024. The defendants include Andrea Tack, Dr. Larry Sy, Monica Carpenter, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), Wexford Healthsources Inc., University of Illinois Hospital, and unknown doctors from the hospital.
Flemming’s legal battle stems from a series of events beginning in 2019 when he experienced numbness in his right shoulder extending to his hand. Despite initial treatments at Dixon Correctional Center (DCC), where he is incarcerated, his condition worsened. In October 2022, Flemming underwent surgery at the University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago but emerged as a quadriplegic. Although some mobility returned with therapy at DCC, Flemming alleges ongoing inadequate care due to frequent lockdowns and lack of proper facilities for rehabilitation within the prison.
The complaint details Flemming’s repeated attempts to secure necessary medical treatment and transfer to a facility better equipped for his needs. He claims Dr. Larry Sy was dismissive of his worsening condition and that Monica Carpenter obstructed his transfer for financial reasons related to keeping him on DCC’s roster. Additionally, Flemming accuses the unknown doctors who performed his surgery of botching the procedure and failing to provide essential follow-up care.
Flemming seeks judicial intervention for declaratory and injunctive relief against all defendants to ensure he receives appropriate therapeutic treatment. He also demands compensatory damages amounting to $100,000 from each defendant jointly and severally, punitive damages totaling $100,000 per defendant, and coverage of court costs. Furthermore, Flemming requests a jury trial on all triable issues and a transfer to another facility offering programs necessary for earning sentence credits that could facilitate his release.
This article was first published in Cook County Record.
