Did Bernie Mac Die Due to Wrongful Death?
Last updated Tuesday, December 13th, 2022
The Wrongful Death of Bernie Mac
Circumstances surrounding the death of popular comedian, Bernie Mac, remain a mystery. Even though the 50-year-old entertainer died more than a decade ago, the pain of this loss lingers. Partly because of the questions that have yet to be answered.
Could Bernie Mac’s death have been prevented? Was his death simply a tragedy? Or was proper care not provided? Was the ball dropped at the worst possible time? Did he get caught in the perfect storm of sickness and medical negligence? Is wrongful death to blame?
Medical professionals have a responsibility to provide a duty of care for their patients, famous or not. Does any of this sound familiar? Have you or a loved one been affected by the death of someone close that could have been avoided? If so, Murphy Law’s experts can guide you through the process of filing a successful wrongful death lawsuit.
How Did Bernie Mac Die?
Bernie Mac died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois from complications related to pneumonia on August 9, 2008.
Sarcoidosis had plagued him for decades, but he believed the condition had been in remission since 2005. While other organs can be affected, this inflammatory disease primarily attacks the lungs. Shortness of breath, wheezing and a dry cough are common symptoms.
How the comedian was treated for this ailment over time may have factored into his demise. Did he develop a resistance to antibiotics? When his body tried to resist pneumonia, he may not have had either the care or immunity needed. He was sick for several weeks and was with his wife and daughter when he died.
Bernie Mac’s family was devastated by his death. They released a statement saying, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Bernie, who was so full of life and love.”
The public reacted to Bernie Mac’s death with shock and sadness. Many people took to social media to express their condolences and share their memories of the comedian and actor.
As his health was in rapid decline, the world may never know what Bernie Mac’s last words were. His wife remembers her last words though. She begged him not to die. “I’m here; I’m waiting for you; I’ll take care of you.”
Thousands of friends, family members, and fans mourned his passing at the House of Hope arena in Chicago. The Bernie Mac gravesite is located within Washington Memory Gardens in Homewood, Ill.
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Bernie Mac’s Legacy
Bernie Mac’s legacy is his comedy. He was a successful stand-up comedian and actor who starred in his own sitcom, The Bernie Mac Show. He was also known for his roles in movies such as Ocean’s Eleven and Bad Santa. Here’s a clip of the famous ‘Van Scene’ from Oceans 11 so you can remember just one of the many brilliant comedic moments of Bernie Mac.
Bernie Mac’s wife is Rhonda McCullough. The two were high school sweethearts. They married in 1977. Their only child was born in 1978. Bernie Mac had one child: Ja’Niece McCullough.
Were There Lawsuits Regarding Bernie Mac’s Death?
There was certainly one lawsuit. Rhonda McCollough filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2010 against Dr. Rene M. Earles, claiming that he failed to recognize her husband’s signs of respiratory distress.
Ms. McCollough alleges that Dr. Earles kept her husband at his clinic for several hours rather than having him transferred or admitted to the hospital, even after showing signs of respiratory failure.
Dr. Earles has stated that he treated Bernie Mac on the day in question and his patient appeared weak and had a fever in addition to a rash.
After Mac conveyed to Dr. Earles that he had received an injection earlier that day for a cold, the defendant contacted the other treating physician only to find out that Mac had been diagnosed earlier that day with pneumonia in both lungs.
Once he received this information, he then advised his patient to go to the hospital. Mac was purportedly kept in the defendant’s clinic for 9 hours, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Ms. McCollough’s attorney asked the judge to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit in a manner that will allow them to refile the case once some issues are cleared up. Further details weren’t provided by Cannon Lambert, the representing attorney.
The lawsuit was dropped in 2015. Lambert had a year to refile. Such actions were not taken. While the case may be over legally, doubts remain. Did Bernie Mac die because of negligence?
If you feel a loved one has suffered a fate similar to Bernie Mac’s, you may be entitled to seek compensation. The best thing you can do is reach out to a respected attorney to see if you have a case. The team at Murphy Law knows what it takes to win a wrongful death lawsuit. Let us help you!
