$3.9 Million Verdict in Medical Malpractice Case for Failure to Monitor Procedure

George Hand, 63, developed incontinence and a swollen prostate. He consulted with urologist Dr. Gilbert Gonzalez who suggested using transurethral microwave therapy to heat up the prostate and cause it to shrink.

During the transurethral microwave therapy procedure, Dr. Gonzalez placed the transurethral device and then left the room. The medical technician who took over for the doctor continued the procedure, which burned a hole through Hand’s rectum and urethra, causing a great deal of pain. Ice was applied to alleviate Hand’s pain, but Dr. Gonzalez did not stop the procedure.

As a result of the injury suffered in this errant therapy procedure, Hand developed a fistula, which necessitated a colostomy. Hand is now permanently incontinent and impotent. He was a truck driver earning about $52,000 per year but has now lost his job due to his inability to drive after his injuries.

Hand and his wife sued Dr. Gonzalez and his medical group claiming that the misplacement of the rectal thermometer used to monitor the prostate during the procedure and that Dr. Gonzalez chose not to investigate and adequately respond to Hand’s reports of excruciating pain. The lawsuit also alleged that Dr. Gonzalez chose not to monitor the procedure but instead left it to his medical assistant.

A first trial resulted in a defense verdict but an intermediate appellate court reversed that decision. This was the second trial. The jury’s verdict was $3,900,000. It was reported that posttrial motions are pending. The attorneys representing Hand and his wife were Mark Tate and James Shipley, Jr.

Hand v. South Georgia Urology Center, P.C.

Kreisman Law Offices has been successfully handling medical negligence cases, nursing negligence cases, nursing home abuse cases, wrongful death cases, hospital negligence cases, physician negligence cases and birth trauma injury cases for individuals and families 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 Richton Park, River Grove, Wilmette, Evanston, Skokie, Gurnee, Crestwood, Forest Park, Park Forest, Park Ridge, Oak Forest, Chicago (South Shore, Jackson Park, Roscoe Village, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Little Italy, Chinatown), Bensenville and Waukegan, Ill.