$4.9 Million Jury Verdict for Failure to Timely Evaluate Patient, Leading to a Below-the-Knee Amputation

Samuel Gray was 61 when he reported excruciating pain and cramping in his left lower leg. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital emergency room where it was noted that he had diminished foot pulses and was in severe pain. He was later diagnosed as having acute ischemia of the lower leg and was given Heparin, a blood thinner.

The hospital staff contacted a thoracic surgeon, Dr. Panagiotis Iakovidis, who agreed to treat Gray and ordered a CT angiogram. The CT angiogram confirmed the diagnosis of acute ischemia in the lower leg.

However, Dr. Iakovidis did not see Gray personally until the next day, 22 hours after the hospital staff had requested his services. Despite an attempt to restore blood flow, Gray subsequently required below-the-knee amputation of his left leg.

Gray and his wife filed a lawsuit against Dr. Iakovidis and his employer claiming that the doctor chose not to timely evaluate Gray or communicate with another vascular specialist who would have provided timely intervention.

The Gray family claimed that Dr. Iakovidis should have come to the hospital within an hour and then timely followed up on the CT angiogram. The Grays also sued the hospital alleging vicarious liability and liability for its nurses’ negligence. There was no claim for lost income.

The hospital settled confidentially before the trial. At trial, the jury signed a verdict for over $4.9 million including $300,000 to Gray for loss of consortium.

The attorneys successfully handling this case were Edward Ricci and Matthew Schwencke.

At trial, the Gray family attorneys presented experts in economics, vascular surgery, interventional radiology and life care planning. The defendants presented experts in vascular surgery and interventional radiology.

Gray v. Iakovidis, No. 2015 CA 003137000000 (Fla. Cir. Ct. Polk County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling hospital negligence lawsuits, medical malpractice cases, nursing negligence lawsuits, physician negligence cases and misdiagnosis of cancer lawsuits 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 Stickney, Cicero, Bridgeview, Evergreen Park, Fox River Grove, St. Charles, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Highland Park, Mundelein, Niles, Northbrook, Norwood Park, Oak Lawn, St. Charles, Tinley Park, Steger, South Holland, South Barrington, Palos Hills, Prospect Heights, LaGrange Park, Orland Hills, Franklin Park, Chicago (Dearborn Park, Canaryville, Calumet Heights, Buena Park, Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, Fulton River District, East Rogers Park, Logan Square, Lawndale, Kilbourn Park, Kenwood, Irving Park East, North Ravenswood, River North, West Lakeview, Wicker Park, West Loop, Rosehill, Uptown, Streeterville), Prospect Heights, Hazel Crest, Barrington Hills and Bartlett, Ill.