B.M. v. Local Community Hospital and ER Physician

B.M. (3 years old) presents to the emergency department with upper respiratory infection symptoms. Rapid flu screen was positive for the Influenza A virus. Procalcitonin was elevated but the abnormal result returned after discharge. Follow-up with mom at home directed by the ER MD did not include returning to emergency department for testing or antibiotic coverage for bacterial infection because the minor was acting normal. Four days later, B.M. coded at home and was later pronounced. Autopsy identified bacterial infection of blood, lungs, and spleen. B.M. is survived by his parents and younger brother. Co-counsel with Kathryn L. Conway.

N. A., as Independent Administrator of the Estate of R. R., Deceased v. Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Medical malpractice settlement. The decedent presented to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for labor and delivery. She was delivered by caesarian section at 10:30 p.m., delivering her first child and the sole heir to this cause of action. The decedent experienced intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and passed away in the early morning hours of November 13, 2012. The defendants failed to properly monitor her labor and delivery, failed to timely perform a caesarian section and failed to timely monitor and treat blood loss following caesarian delivery. The decedent’s sole heir was hours old at the time of her passing.

G. v. 69 West Washington Management Company, LLC, et al.

(2008) Premises. This matter arises out of the October 17, 2003 fire at the Cook County Administration building, 69 West Washington. It is one of the 22 lawsuits filed as a result the tragic incident. G. sustained injuries of based on the distress she experienced as a result of being trapped in a stairwell of the building and eventually passing out due to smoke inhalation.

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.