Bernie Mac's Widow Sues Comedian's Longtime Dermatologist for Wrongful Death

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

Bernie Mac (AP Photo, file)

CHICAGO (CBS/AP) Bernie Mac's widow has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Chicago against the late comedian's longtime doctor.

Rhonda McCullough alleges that a few weeks before Mac's 2008 death, dermatologist Rene M. Earles didn't recognize indications of respiratory failure and kept the 50-year-old Chicago native at his clinic for several hours rather than call an ambulance.

Earles tells the Chicago Sun-Times he treated Mac on the day in question. He says Mac appeared weak, and had a low-grade fever and a rash.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Earles kept Mac in his clinic for nine hours, triggering a series of events that led to his death related to pneumonia, reports RadarOnline.

Earles says after Mac told him another doctor had given him an injection for a cold, he called that doctor and was told Mac had been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

He says he immediately advised Mac to go to a hospital and that Mac was taken to one in a chauffer-driven vehicle.

McCullough is seeking at least $50,000 in damages, says Radar.

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by formrusmcsgt August 10, 2010 8:58 PM EDT

What would one be doing for 9 hours in a dermatologist's office?

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by jmichael07 August 11, 2010 11:25 AM EDT: that was my thought too. I looked at his photo half-thinking he might have something (obscurely serious or whatever) possibly worse than what MJ had... I'm sorry for Bernie's Widow...perhaps she needs the cash cuz you know how Americans take care of their widows and orphans and the rest of its "rejects". The rich are so "compassionate" in this country you can really see how it in how they run the country.

by sdxvegas August 10, 2010 1:08 PM EDT

If you read the original report you will see that he left the Dermatologist, went to the hospital and was treated for two weeks. He got over the pneumonia he originally had and caught a second strain while in the hospital.
This story makes it sound like he died on the way to the hospital.

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by jmichael07 August 11, 2010 11:19 AM EDT: "This story makes it sound like he died on the way to the hospital."

haha! Sensational, isn't it.


by sdxvegas August 10, 2010 11:23 AM EDT: Bernie was responsible for his own death. Don't you people get it?

The man was diagnosed with double pneumonia. What kind of patient goes to the dermatologist when they have double pneumonia? Bernie was obviously not following his doctor's orders that would clearly require bed rest.

Enough of this mentality, take responsibility for your own actions.; Reply to this comment


by run2jazz2 August 10, 2010 9:54 AM EDT: Drop the lawsuit please! Your beloved husband show is in syndication around the country which means that you should be getting financial compensation for it.; Reply to this comment


by LOL_AT_CBS August 10, 2010 3:06 AM EDT: $50,000? Surely CBS dropped two or three zeroes by mistake, right? Who sues a doctor for wrongful death for only $50,000?; Reply to this comment

by maddog144 August 9, 2010 11:29 PM EDT

reid1123...It's amazing how you've already found the physician guilty, with virtually no evidence in hand. Your insight is inspiring. Also, it never occurred to me that a big part of what's wrong with healthcare in America is there aren't enough lawsuits. Again...inspiring.

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by porcine_aviator August 10, 2010 10:45 AM EDT: Agreed we live in a far too litigious society.

However, what kind of a dermatologist keeps a patient cooped up for 9 hours while they are wheezing away with pneumonia?

Common sense says something is wrong with that picture.

by Reid1123 August 9, 2010 4:38 PM EDT

What a shame. With all the signs in front of him, why didnt the doctor in question call 911.
I hope Bernie Mac's wife wins her lawsuit. Maybe if more people sue their doctors instead of treating them like Kings, maybe they will begin to use better judgement.

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by candyc4 August 10, 2010 10:32 PM EDT: Who knows why he was in the dermatologist's office for nine hrs. Bernie Mac was hardly the type to be told what he could or couldn't do, even when sick. He would not have stayed there for that amount of time unless he, Bernie, had a reason. Besides this was weeks before he died. Let the experts figure it all out. I am willing to bet, though, that he was, bottom line, responsible for himself. Mind you, that is only my perception. Suing is a sickness in the U.S.