(2020) Medical Malpractice: Forty-two-year-old female was admitted to a local academic medical center’s psychiatric unit and was an inpatient for a total of 5 days. During her stay, she was determined to be a suicide risk and her medications were adjusted and/or terminated. On her fifth day as an inpatient, she was negligently and prematurely discharged without completion of further testing, completion of psychological workup, and without involving the family members in the decision-making process. On the morning after discharge, she was found dead. Her death was by suicide. She is survived by her husband and children.

No Lawsuit Filed
G.M. and N.M. v. Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Medical Malpractice: 61 year old male underwent a colonoscopy, and a possibly palpable nodule was identified within the colonoscopy report. The report was reviewed by the ordering primary care physician; however, no further workup was obtained, whether by urologic consultation or a PSA testing. Approximately, one year later, the primary care physician did order a PSA and urologic consult, which revealed abnormalities, prostate cancer and lymph node involvement. Due to increased risks of mortality associated with delayed diagnosis, this case was settled without the need for filing. Co-counsel was Joseph A. Power, Jr.

Sandra Hardy, Independent Administrator of the Estate of Johnathon Hardy, Deceased v. Galen Hospital, et al.

(2002) Medical malpractice – Wrongful Death. Johnathon Hardy was 9 years old at the time of his death. Johnathon Hardy had a cardiac condition known as Long Q.T. Syndrome. Johnathon Hardy, as well as his sister, Lakisha Hardy, sought treatment from Dr. Rajasekhar at Humana Health Plan, Inc. Dr. Rajasekhar was the general pediatrician. Dr. Rajasekhar treated Johnathon from April 15, 1990 until the time of his death on November 6, 1993. Dr. Rajasekhar was negligent and deviated from the standard of care in their care and treatment of Johnathon Hardy. Specifically, plaintiffs allege that defendant Dr. Rajasekhar failed to prescribe and maintain Johnathon Hardy on anti-arrhythmic medications; failed to hospitalize him; and failed to order timely and appropriate diagnostic studies.

On October 31, 1998, defendant failed to maintain the premises at their factory in Chester, in a reasonably safe condition and caused, plaintiff age 26, who was an employee to trip and fall three stories down a man lift. Plaintiff suffered a T-8 compression fracture which required T4-T11 posterior spinal fusion – leaving plaintiff with partial feeling from the waist down and confinement to a wheelchair or an assistance device for the rest of his life. (2006)

On June 8, 2017, defendant’s tractor-trailer improperly left-turned at CR 950 East and 2400 North (Champaign County), failing to yield, and collided with plaintiff’s motorcycle. Plaintiff, age 52, suffered below-the-knee amputation of his left leg, a closed head injury, and other trauma. Mr. Bruce recovered the maximum available insurance policy limits. (2018)

Exacerbation of cervical and lumbar injuries rendering a Chicago Police Department officer disabled and unable to continue his law enforcement career.

On Tuesday, June 21, 2022 GMC Acadia sport utility vehicle, driven by defendant, was northbound on Illinois State Highway 394 (IL-394) approaching the Interstate I-94 interchange merge. At the same time, a silver 2016 Nissan Versa was disabled and parked in the interchange gore (painted median) between IL-394 and I-94 with its emergency hazard lights flashing. Its driver, the decedent, was sitting in the driver’s seat, waiting for a tow truck to remove the Nissan from the road. The GMC crossed out of the through traffic lane to the right into the gore. There it rear-ended the Nissan. After impact, both vehicles traveled northwest and stopped, blocking the northbound I-94 lanes of traffic. Co-counsel with Jonathan M. Thomas.

J.K. v. 2 Local Community Hospitals

74-year-old female experienced a hemorrhage stroke at home from a ruptured aneurysm diagnosed shortly after arrival to a Local Community Hospital. Preparations were made for an external ventricular drain (EVD) to be placed by a neurosurgeon prior to transfer to a comprehensive stroke center at another Local Community Hospital for endovascular treatment by involved providers at both locations. The EVD kit lacked proper contents, so an EVD was not placed prior to transfer. Due to miscommunication, the EVD wasn’t placed for 5 hours after arrival to hospital number 2. Decedent is survived by her husband and two adult sons.

The case arises out of a wrongful death cause of action which alleges that physicians who treated plaintiff after he underwent a cervical C3-C6 laminectomy and fusion on May 11, 2018.   Thereafter on May 25th, he was noted to be hypotensive, the resuscitation team was called to the bedside, hes was intubated, and after intubation, he was unable to move or feel his arms and legs extremities.    He succumbed to his injuries and died on October 24, 2018 of complications.

LaDonna C.Foster, Adm. of the Estate of Yvette Foster, etc., et al. V. East Lake Corporation, et al.

(2000) Premise liability. This case involves a 47-year-old- mother, Yvonne Foster, who died as a result of injuries suffered at the East Lake Housing Development at 3555 S. Cottage Grove in Chicago. Ms. Foster left surviving her four children, Gregory, LaDonna, Alex Jr., who were adults, and Linda, her 11-year-old minor. The complaint alleged that the fire alarm system failed to operate throughout the building and that fire hoses in some stairwells were inoperable