Craig Beaubien was referred to a hematologist, Dr. Charu Trivedi, to determine the cause of an abnormal blood test showing a high hematocrit level. When the hematocrit value is high, the proportion of red blood cells in the blood is higher than normal. This can indicate dehydration, a disorder that…
Articles Posted in Wrongful Death
Federal Wrongful Death Medical Malpractice Lawsuit is Dismissed Holding Attending Physician Not Vicariously Liable
The family of a man who died of a heart attack while hospitalized after an appendectomy was held not to have a viable medical malpractice case against the attending physician. In July 2017, Timothy Dobine, 43, died while under the care of medical staff at West Suburban Medical Center in…
$2.5 Million Settlement in Misread Electrocardiogram Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Doe went to a medical clinic complaining of increased fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath. A resident physician allegedly obtained an electrocardiogram (EKG), which was abnormal, and ordered a routine cardiology referral. The resident’s supervising physician allegedly did not see or evaluate Doe. Four months later, Doe collapsed at home…
$2.4 Million Jury Verdict in Improper Monitoring of Coagulation Levels
Ms. Doe, 70, suffered from atrial fibrillation and had two mechanical heart valves. She was prescribed Coumadin to prevent a stroke. When Dr. Roe, her treating cardiologist, recommended elective replacement of her pacemaker battery, the Coumadin was stopped five days before the procedure. It was then restarted after the surgery.…
$300,000 Settlement for Excessive Use of Radiation
Jennifer Schlutt, 26, was diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma of the distal urethra or periurethral area. She underwent a course of radiotherapy treatment, including external beam radiotherapy and the placement of an implant. During this radiation treatment, which lasted approximately six weeks, Schlutt suffered a severe reaction. She complained…
$2.5 Million Jury Verdict for Failure to Monitor Post Surgery Hernia Operation
Margaret Parr, 68, underwent a hiatal hernia repair done by Dr. Medhat Allam. She was discharged several hours after the surgery. That night and the next morning, she suffered severe pain and was brought to another hospital where she underwent a second surgery, which revealed necrosis of her gallbladder, intestines,…
$2.62 Million Jury Verdict in Negligent Treatment of Abdominal Ulcer
Hansaben Patel, 74, was hospitalized and diagnosed as having uncontrolled diabetes and an electrolyte imbalance. While hospitalized, Patel’s hemoglobin dropped. A gastroenterologist, Dr. Fadi Deeb, diagnosed a duodenal ulcer and prescribed proton pump inhibitors. Patel suffered two large bleeds and was then transferred to the facility’s ICU. After a third…
$3 Million Jury Verdict in Failure to Timely Retest for Prostate Cancer
Lonnie Kersey had a family history of prostate cancer. He took Avodart to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. His treating internist, Dr. Michael Pisano, allegedly ordered lab work in 2012 and 2014, including a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA). The following year, Dr. Pisano allegedly ordered another PSA, which showed a value…
$325,000 Settlement Reached in Hospital’s Failure to Administer Fluid and Blood Products
Julius D’Amico, 73, was admitted to Bryn Mawr Hospital for surgery to treat what was believed to be an infection in her arm AV graft used for hemodialysis. During the surgery, she lost blood and fluid volume, which led to a postoperative decrease in her blood pressure, blood volume and…
Illinois Appellate Court Reverses Public Aid Lien Claim in Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Lois K. Ries, a public aid recipient, was paralyzed by what was alleged to be medical malpractice. This took place in 2011. Her medical malpractice lawsuit was pending when she died. After settling the case for $415,000, her two sons, who were the co-executors of her estate and her sole…