Bernie Mac`s widow sues comedian`s doctor

Chicago: Comedian 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 the clinic for several hours rather than call an ambulance. Earles tells the Chicago Sun-Times he treated Mac that day. He says Mac appeared weak, had a low-grade fever and a rash. He says after Mac told him another doctor had given him an injection for a cold, he called Mac`s 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. Bureau Report