Bernie Mac's Widow Sues Comedian's Longtime Dermatologist for Wrongful Death

CHICAGO (CBS/AP) 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 his clinic for several hours rather than call an ambulance.

Earles tells the Chicago Sun-Times he treated Mac on the day in question. He says Mac appeared weak, and had a low-grade fever and a rash.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Earles kept Mac in his clinic for nine hours, triggering a series of events that led to his death related to pneumonia, reports RadarOnline.

Earles says after Mac told him another doctor had given him an injection for a cold, he called that 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.

McCullough is seeking at least $50,000 in damages, says Radar.