Collins v. Lake Forest Hospital

The limited issue on appeal before this court is whether the defendant Lake Forest Hospital (hospital) had a duty to inquire into the availability of a surrogate decisionmaker and implement the surrogate’s treatment decisions under the Health Care Surrogate Act (Act) (755 ILCS 40/1 et seq. (West 2000)). The circuit court of Lake County dismissed the amended complaint against the hospital filed by the decedent’s estate as well as by individual members of his family, and the appellate court reversed. We, in turn, reverse the appellate court judgment and reinstate the trial court’s order…