A 78-year-old female underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Neither preoperative nor intraoperative biliary imaging was obtained to detail the surgical anatomy so intraoperative anatomical identification of the gallbladder and triangle of Calot was required before cutting or clipping. Inappropriate structures were injured after improper anatomical delineation. Biliary surgery at a subsequent tertiary care center identified the injuries and surgical repair followed.

N.W. v. Advocate (2015 – Cook County)

The Plaintiff’s Decedent presented to the Defendant hospital in the early morning complaining of a sickle cell crisis. Plaintiff alleged that due to a failure to properly and timely monitor and treat Plaintiff’s Decedent over the next 36 hours, the Decedent developed acute chest syndrome, which caused her death. Defendants claimed that the Decedent’s acute chest syndrome developed rapidly due to a fat embolism, and that intervention would not have prevented her death.

On May 9th, 2013, plaintiff, age 57, was a patient at deft Cornerstone’s Sycamore, IL rehabilitation facility, was sitting alone in her room when her tracheostomy tube became dislodged. The ventilator alarm sounded, but no nurses responded for 11 minutes. Due to the delay, plaintiff suffered brain damage and died on May 13, 2013. (2015)

G.H. v. Z.H., et al.

64-year-old male post-kidney transplant experienced hyperkalemia (a known transplant effect) identified at 2 consecutive post-transplant clinic visits. The involved transplant team (doctor, nurse, and pharmacist) failed to timely treat acute potassium elevation and to ensure no cardiac rhythm abnormalities were present despite the intention to treat earlier. Patient arrested while walking with his wife in the evening near their home after the second clinic visit mentioned above. Patient is survived by his wife. Co-counsel with Kathryn L. Conway.

A 70-year old female went into Advocate Illinois Masonic for a planned thyroidectomy due to the development of a massive goiter. During surgery, she suffered a stroke. Plaintiff alleged that the stroke was caused by deep anesthesia and resultant hypoperfusion to her brain. Defendants maintained that the stroke was embolic and caused by dislodged plaque due to manipulation of the right carotid artery in order to remove the massive tumor. The Plaintiff suffered weakness on her left side as a result of the stroke and required the use of a cane and/or walker to get around. She was already retired at the time of the stroke. There was a $100,000 offer prior to trial. The $4.6 Million verdict, included an award of $2 Million for emotional distress.

G.T. v. A Local Rehabilitation Facility (Cook County)

(2022) Medical Malpractice: A 61-year-old husband and father was transferred to a rehabilitation facility following a hypoxic brain injury. He was extubated and required reintubation which was alleged to have been negligently delayed. His death followed. Co-counsel with Thomas M. Power.

E. v. A Community Hospital

(2020) Medical Malpractice: Thirty-four-year-old female presented to hospital for an elective laparoscopic hysterectomy. During the procedure, the iliac vein was injured during entry of the initial trocar, which resulted in major bleeding. Resuscitation was delayed. Due to lack of mass transfusion protocol, lack of blood products, surgical access, power infusion devices, and surgical repair, death occurred intraoperatively. She is survived by her husband and daughter. Co-counsel with Kathryn Conway.

W.S.T., Individually, and as Independent Administrator of the Estate of M.C.T., Deceased v. County of Cook, et al.

(2018) Medical Malpractice: On September 29, 2011, 31-year-old female underwent an effort to remove her left lower wisdom tooth in an operating room at Cook County Hospital. During the procedure, she experienced catastrophic exsanguination due to a laryngoscope blade being passed into her airway and impaling a known congenital vascular malformation on the right side of her mouth by the anesthesia service after oral surgery incised her gum line. This resulted in her death. She was survived by her parents and five siblings.

Result: $4,500,000.00

LT, individually and as Independent Executor of the Estate of GT, deceased v. Rush University Medical Center

(2014) Medical Malpractice: Healthcare practitioners failed to provide 58 year old male with appropriate Coumadin dosing instructions at discharge following an ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation leading to a cardioembolic stroke and his death two months later. The dosing instructions provided included lesser than normal weekly Coumadin dosing and other errors. The decedent is survived by his wife and two adult daughters.

Result: $4,500,000.00

MG, Independent Administrator of the Estate of MG, Deceased v. Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, et al.

(2010) Medical Malpractice: 47 year old female underwent a cervical epidural injection performed at Rush University Medical Center by a pain specialist. Prior to the injection she received sedation which should have allowed her to experience pain if her spinal cord was compressed by the epidural needle. After the injection she was rendered a quadriplegic due to an intra-cord injection of medication during the epidural. The failure of the anesthesia team to ensure a safe level of sedation for the injection resulted in her neurologic injuries. MG passed away of asthma three years later – May 2, 2007. She is survived by her adult daughter.

Result: $4,500,000.00