FAYETTEVILLE — A doctor sued by the estate of Gregg Ogden says he’s not responsible for the late advertising agency owner’s death because Ogden ignored medical advice and didn’t come in for follow-up care.
Ogden’s estate filed the medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Stephen Hennigan and the Infectious Disease Specialists of Northwest Arkansas. The lawsuit also names 10 “John Doe” defendants.
The suit, filed in Washington County Circuit Court, claims Hennigan failed to properly treat Ogden’s continuing complaints of constipation prior to his death on Aug. 19, 2007.
Hennigan contends he treated Ogden off-and-on for years but was not Ogden’s primary care physician, as is claimed in the lawsuit. Hennigan also claims Ogden’s death was not caused by medical negligence but by Ogden’s pre-existing conditions, his repeated refusal to follow the treatment prescribed by his doctors, including not taking his medications, and his sporadic follow-up visits.
Ogden was the founder of Athletic World Advertising.
The lawsuit claims that after Ogden underwent a liver transplant at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago in February 2007, Hennigan resumed the role as his primary physician in April.
Hennigan managed Ogden’s infusions for immune deficiencies and his prescription medications, including narcotic pain medications and Methadone, according to the lawsuit. Between April and August 2007, Hennigan treated Ogden for chronic constipation.
On Aug. 9, 2007, Ogden went to the emergency room at Washington Regional Medical Center and an emergency lapromotomy revealed a perforated bowel, which was repaired, according to the lawsuit.
The leakage had caused sepsis, which led to multiorgan failure, including hepatic failure, renal failure and respiratory failure, according to the lawsuit.
Ogden was transferred to University of Illinois Medical Center on Aug. 14 where he died.
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