Judge Sues, Claming St. Luke's Hospital Let His Wife Die

St. Luke's Hospital in Chesterfield is facing suit a second time in the 2007 death of Lisa Franke-Haida, 50, after her husband Judge Robert Haida, re-filed Oct. 6 claiming malpractice.

The Illinois circuit court judge first filed in 2009 in St. Louis County court against St. Luke's, after his wife died following an undisclosed medical procedure, according to court documents.

Haida and St. Luke’s agreed to dismiss the initial 2009 suit claiming negligence, without prejudice.

According to court documents, Franke-Haida was in septic shock—which is typically described as a drastic drop in blood pressure due to a bacterial infection of the bloodstream. Haida alleges the hospital failed to adequately resuscitate or use vasopressors (an agent that causes a rise in blood pressure) to treat Franke-Haida, thus rendering ineffective renal management and care.

Franke-Haida herself was a Metro East lawyer who specialized in defending doctors and hospitals in personal injury trials. She has two sons.

A source familiar with the case speculated that Franke-Haida earned between $400,000 and $500,000 a year, before she died.

Her husband served as St. Clair County, IL prosecutor from 1991 to 2010 when he was elected to the circuit judgeship.

Haida is seeking a judgement in excess of $25,000 from Judge De Priest. Haida and Haida-Franke’s children are also listed as plaintiffs, according to court documents.

A new trial is expected to begin in Judge Tom De Priest’s courtroom a year from now, late 2012.

A source familiar with the case said a settlement outside of court was unlikely.