$14.49 Million Jury Verdict in Failure to Timely Diagnose Epidural Abscess

Joseph Barsuli, 49, was experiencing aches and left-sided neck pain. The doctor who examined him diagnosed a virus. He then developed numbness in his finger and arm, prompting his admission to a hospital.

At the hospital, a neurologist ordered a CT scan of the cervical spine, which was read by a radiologist, Dr. Wayne Liou, an employee of Virtual Radiological Corp. Dr. Liou interpreted the test as normal; however, the next day, another local radiologist reviewed the film and diagnosed a cervical epidural abscess.

A spinal epidural abscess is an accumulation of pus in the epidural space that can compress the spinal cord. The diagnosis of this is by MRI or by myelography followed by a CT scan. Treatment involves antibiotics and sometimes the drainage of the abscess. The symptoms of this condition are pain, fever and neurologic deficits.

Barsuli underwent surgery, but this was unsuccessful in reversing the loss of feeling in his upper and lower extremities.

He has since been diagnosed with incomplete quadriplegia and must use a walker. He had been a facilities manager earning $80,000 per year.

Barsuli sued Dr. Liou and his employer, Virtual Radiologic Corp., alleging that they chose not to timely diagnose the cervical epidural abscess that caused this catastrophic injury.

The jury signed a verdict in favor of Barsuli for $14.49 million.

The attorneys successfully handling this tragic case were Daniel Rottier, Eric Ryberg, Elissa Bowlin, and Steve Botzau.

Barsuli v. Virtual Radiologic Corporation, No. 2017-CV-000163 (Wis. Dist. Ct. Kenosha County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling cervical spine injury lawsuits, catastrophic injury cases, misdiagnosis of spinal injury lawsuits, quadriplegia injury cases and radiology negligence cases for individuals, families and loved ones who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including LaGrange Highlands, Willowbrook, Countryside, Willow Springs, Woodridge, Downers Grove, Oak Brook, Broadview, Hillside, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, St. Charles, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Palos Park, Blue Island, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Country Club Hills, Flossmoor, Frankfort, Mokena, Matteson, Richton Park, Chicago Heights, East Hazel Crest, Harvey, Chicago (Hegewisch, Calumet Heights, Burnside, Avalon Park, East Chatham, South Shore, Jackson Park Highlands, Auburn Park, South Side, Parkway Gardens, East Hyde Park, Bronzeville, Back of the Yards, Union Ridge, Prairie Shores, East Pilsen, Chinatown, Printer’s Row, Greek Town, West Loop, Noble Square, Clybourn Corridor, Humboldt Park, Roscoe Village, Bricktown), Forest Park, Schaumburg, LaGrange, Barrington, Elk Grove Village, Park Ridge, Evanston, Niles, Long Grove and Lincolnshire, Ill.

Robert D. Kreisman has been an active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.