Harriet Cook, 83, suffered from a degenerative spinal condition in her neck. A pain management specialist, Dr. Michael Rubeis, did a fluoroscopic cervical epidural injection to help with Cook’s pain symptoms. During the procedure, Cook complained of pain. Nevertheless, Dr. Rubeis continued.
Afterwards, Cook discovered that her arms and legs were paralyzed. Her left arm remained paralyzed, which prevented her from living independently as she did before the procedure. Before she passed away, Cook sued Dr. Rubeis’ group, alleging negligent performance of the epidural injection. Cook claimed that Dr. Rubeis chose not to ascertain the location of the needle, leading him to inject steroid solution directly into Cook’s spinal cord, breaching the dura and causing nerve damage.
The jury returned a verdict of $3.5 million. However, the parties settled for an undisclosed amount.
The attorneys successfully handling this tragic case were Kenneth J. McKenna and Daniel Smith.
At the jury trial, Cook’s attorneys presented experts in anesthesiology, life care planning, economics and radiology. The defendant presented an expert in anesthesiology.
Cook v. Joseph Riley Anesthesia Associates, Inc., No. 2016-CA-11283-0 (Fla. Cir. Ct. Orange County).
Kreisman Law Offices has been handling surgical errors, medical malpractice lawsuits, wrongful death cases, brain injury cases, physician negligence lawsuits and hospital negligence 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 Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, Schiller Park, River Grove, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Hillside, Westchester, Waukegan, Zion, Gurnee, Lake Zurich, Stickney, Blue Island, South Holland, Calumet City, Chicago (Lake Calumet, East Side, South Chicago, Washington Park, Bronzeville, Chinatown, Near South Side, Old Town, Gold Coast, Lincoln Square, Roscoe Village, North Center, West Rogers Park, Uptown, Pulaski Park), Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles and Wheeling, Ill.
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