Ezekiel Flores, 89, was admitted to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Ill., in January 2013 for complaints of leg pain. While he was there, an abdominal CT scan came back with abnormal results, which led the doctors to suspect possible colon cancer over diverticulitis. The defendant gastroenterologist, Dr. Manuel Alva, did…
Articles Posted in Surgical Errors
Hysterectomy Error Leads to $700,000 Jury Verdict
Nerisa Williams was 43 years old when she underwent a hysterectomy that was completed by her gynecologist, Dr. Kenneth Baker. During the surgery, Dr. Baker unknowingly transected or cut Williams’s ureter. The ureter is made up of two tubes of smooth muscle fibers that propel urine from the kidneys to…
$1.86 Million Jury Verdict for Negligence Associated with Hip Replacement Surgery
Elizabeth McNamara was 63 when she underwent a right hip replacement that was done by an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. David Weissberg. After the surgery, she developed right foot drop and was diagnosed as having an injured peroneal nerve. McNamara continued to suffer the foot drop and numbness in her right…
State Appellate Court Holds Clinic Liable for Physician’s Negligent Surgery Even After Doctor Was Dismissed from Case
The Maryland State Appellate Court has ruled that the trial judge was correct in deciding whether a patient’s negligence lawsuit, that of Yolanda Harris, would go forward against a women’s health clinic even after she dropped claims against her doctor, the agent to the clinic. The Maryland Court of Specials…
Jury Verdict Entered for Patient Whose Shoulder Surgery Went Wrong When Surgeon Placed Screw in the Wrong Place
Holly Mozzone, 39, underwent a bursectomy and a repair to her labrum; surgery was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gary Hunter. During the surgical procedure, Dr. Hunter placed a screw into her shoulder joint instead of on the limb of the joint. As a result of this mistake, she developed…
Cook County Jury Finds in Favor of Hospital in Death of Patient in Colon Surgery
Helen Manfredi, 85, underwent right colectomy surgery at Loyola University Hospital because of her colon cancer. She also had a large pre-existing hiatal hernia that was asymptomatic. During the colectomy surgery, the surgeon decided to reduce the stomach organ, but the hernia was not repaired. Four days after the colectomy…
State Supreme Court Reverses for Family of Patient Who Died After Complications from Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System
In this case, a manufacturer, Intuitive Surgical Inc., sold a surgical device, the robotic surgical system, to a hospital, Harrison Medical Center, which credentialed some of its physicians to perform surgery with the device. The surgical device is a robotic surgery tool called the “da Vinci System.” At the trial,…
$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…
$4.27 Million Jury Verdict in Infection-Related Leg Amputation for Failure to Treat After Surgery
Annabelle Glasgow, who was 71 years old, suffered from diabetes, hypertension and congestive heart failure. She was admitted to Temple University Hospital to undergo bilateral total knee replacements to be done by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Easwaran Balasubramanian. She developed pain at the incision site, swelling and drainage. In spite of…
Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Order Barring Undisclosed Expert Opinion Testimony
This case arises out of an appeal taken after the Circuit Court of Cook County judge entered judgment on the verdict in favor of Dr. John Pantano and Suburban Lung Associates, S.C. in a medical malpractice action. The lawsuit, brought by the special administrator of the Estate of Viola Morrisroe,…