$3 Million Jury Verdict in Failure to Properly Monitor Patient With Fall Risk

James DeGeorge, 84, was hospitalized for the placement of a pacemaker. He was labeled a high fall risk due to his unsteady gait and forgetfulness. A nurse gave him Ambien one evening as he reported he could not sleep. He was placed in a chair without an alarm.

An hour later, he was trying to get out of the chair but fell and hit his head. He suffered a subdural hematoma as a result of that blunt force. He died three weeks later and was survived by his wife and three adult children.

DeGeorge’s family and estate filed a lawsuit against the hospital for his wrongful death. The DeGeorge family asserted that the hospital chose not to take the necessary fall precautions and properly monitor his movements.

The jury’s verdict was for $3 million for this wrongful death.

The attorney successfully handling this case was Laura Laughlin.

DeGeorge v. Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, No. 2016-006622 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Delaware County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling wrongful death cases, nursing home abuse lawsuits, traumatic brain injury lawsuits and hospital 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 Evergreen Park, Alsip, Oak Lawn, Blue Island, Calumet Park, Hickory Hills, Maywood, Franklin Park, Schaumburg, Des Plaines, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Highland Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Northfield, Chicago (Hermosa, Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, Lawndale, Little Village, Albany Park, Bronzeville, Goose Island, Greektown, Little Italy, Oakland, Bridgeport, Kenwood, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, South Shore, Grand Crossing), River Forest, Forest Park, Berwyn and Stickney, Ill.