Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog

In August of 2010, DePuy Orthopedics, a division of Johnson & Johnson, issued a recall for two of its widely used hip replacement products, ASR™ XL Acetabular Hip System and the DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System, after it was determined that the metal-on-metal design of the prosthetic hip could be harmful to the individual recipients. The metal-on-metal devices have caused issues for thousands of recipients because of the deterioration of the metal once implanted in a patient’s body. The metal-on-metal design can lead to the release of small metal particles into the recipient’s body. This can lead to a slew of health problems including infection, necrosis, allergic problems or even heart and neurological system problems.

The company estimated that between 2003 and 2009 over 90,000 patients received one of the now recalled DePuy hip replacement systems. Research has shown that nearly one in eight recipients of a DePuy Hip Replacement required a revision surgery to correct the issues associated with the faulty hip replacements.

With approximately 90,000 faulty hip replacements used and a one in eight chance of issues occurring, it is safe to assume that well over 11,000 patients will require a revision surgery to correct the problems suffered because of the faulty metal-on-metal design. “Anyone who received a recalled DePuy hip implant may be eligible to receive compensation for these defective products, even if they have not yet experienced pain or symptoms,” said attorney Steven Levin of Levin & Perconti.

With the large number of potential claimants DePuy is expected to face an increased amount of litigation.

The Chicago hip implant attorneys at Levin and Perconti believe that the number of claims already filed against DePuy may only be the tip of the iceberg. It is impossible to know whether the tens of thousands DePuy hip replacement recipients that have not yet incurred problems will in the future.

Recently, an Illinois medical malpractice lawsuit was filed in Madison County after an eye doctor failed to diagnose his patient’s eye condition. According to the Madison Record, the patient claims that the doctor failed to even specify what eye condition the man suffered from, nevertheless monitor or treat the condition. The man continued to remain a patient of the eye doctor for over two years until his problem became debilitating.

In the claim, filed June 9, the plaintiff asserts that as a result of the doctor’s ophthalmological error, he sustained much pain and suffering due to the undiagnosed eye condition. Subsequently, the plaintiff suffered a permanent disability to his eye which ultimately caused his inability to work and lost wages. The plaintiff seeks an undisclosed judgment in this two count lawsuit.

In order to deliver the most relevant medical malpractice news to our readers, we are continuously reading reports about new cases. We have observed that the number of malpractice cases against ophthalmologists and optometrists is on the up-rise. Although this report does not specify the specific condition the plaintiff’s suffered, we read a lot about cases involving complications during Lasik eye surgery. This voluntary, permanent corrective eye surgery has unfortunately caused various complications, especially if performed by a negligent doctor. In a lawsuit filed earlier this year, a self-proclaimed “World’s Best Eye Surgeon” was sued for medical malpractice when he improperly performed Lasik surgery four times on a single patient whose vision did not improved after the previous surgeries. Ultimately, the patient was rendered legally blind.

While ophthalmological medical malpractice is not as commonly thought of as other types of malpractice, the results of it can be devastating, so patients must be careful when choosing which procedures to undergo. In addition to losing one’s sight as the result of an error, other risk factors include dry eyes, infections, or even the development of cataracts. Our Illinois medical malpractice lawyers strongly encourage our readers to do your research before you embark on an elective surgery of any kind, and always make sure you understand the risks involved.

A local man contacted an Illinois medical malpractice lawyer after suffering vision problems due to the negligence of his doctor, leading to a newly filed medical malpractice lawsuit. The Madison Record reports that the victim in this case went to the emergency room at the Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital in early May of 2009 after suffering injuries to his eyes and face. The victim had been hit by a glass bottle and sought treatment for his wounds.

At the hospital the victim claims that his doctor failed to properly treat his wounds. As a result of the mistake, the man claims that he lost a majority of vision in his right eye. Specifically, the new negligence lawsuit states that the doctor failed to properly evaluate a flurosein exam, didn’t use an eye shield, failed to remove all the glass in the eye, and did not diagnose the ruptured globe in his right eye.

The lawsuit states the emergency room doctor also should have consulted with an expert in the area—an ophthalmologist—to ensure that the man’s care was up to standards. The doctor’s failure in this regard, says the complaint, resulted in his ruptured right eye to continue to worsen unabated. He now can see only minimally from his that eye.

The man claims that besides his permanent physical disability he incurred a variety of medical costs and suffered physical and emotional pain. He is seeking to hold the negligent hospital, doctor, and outsourced physicians’ company for which the doctor was employed accountable for their actions.

Continue reading "Illinois Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Filed Against Hospital for Eye Error" »

Some of the most heart-breaking, traumatic, and complex injuries that a family is forced to endure are those caused during childbirth. However any Chicago medical malpractice lawyer will tell you that it is those cases where the legal system most appropriately yields justice. The consequences for families are never higher than during childbirth. A mother’s health is at constant risk and hanging in the balance is the new life that a family is hoping to bring into the world. When poor medical care and careless doctor decisions cause injury (and sometimes death) in those moments the law must be there to hold the negligent parties accountable.

An example of one of those birth injury cases was recently shared by a story in Red Orbit. In the case a mother suffered devastating injury while attempting to give birth to her ten pound child. The mother had been in severe discomfort throughout the pregnancy—it was clear that the child was going to be large. The pain during the pregnancy and the known size of the child led the mother to logically and repeatedly request a Cesarean section. Her doctor paid little attention to her concerns.

The negligent physician’s poor care didn’t improve when it came time for the child to be born. In fact, the couple’s doctor admitted that he “wandered in and out” of the room during the delivery. He arrived by the expectant mother’s side mere minutes before the child was born. It is unclear why the doctor was missing in action as he had no other patients in the hospital at the time. The doctor’s lack of oversight meant that the couple’s complex care was instead placed in the hands of an inexperienced first year resident and nurse. The new doctor made some mistakes during the delivery. The suffering mother was exposed to excessive anesthesia, and exaggerated hyper flexion abduction measures were performed during the birth.

The suffering mother was forced to endure an unnecessarily painful birth. By the end her pelvis was broken and separated. Her back also experienced immense trauma. Special hardware and neurological devices needed to be installed before it was over. Even after that she still requires a cane to walk at all times.

The trial in this medical malpractice lawsuit was held recently. After hearing all the evidence from both sides the jury unanimously found in favor of the victims—awarding them $5 million.

Continue reading "Jury Awards Family $5 Million Following Medical Malpractice Lawsuit" »

Boston.com reported last month on the culmination of a tragic legal battle alleging medical malpractice following the death of a 4 year old girl.

The young female victim died after her psychiatrist at Tufts Medical Center prescribed her an overdose of a psychiatric drug. The medication error involved pills that were intended to help handle the girl’s claimed hyperactivity disorder and bipolar illness. The medical professional reached the settlement after the victim’s parents were convicted in criminal trials of recklessly dispensing the drugs to their daughter.

There remains much confusion over the psychiatrist’s role in the death. The doctor had diagnosed all three of the family children with the disorders, prescribing them all mood altering drugs. Testimony indicated that the doctor was fooled by the parents into believing that the children had the problems, even though objective evidence showed little signs of medical issues. The parents were seeking the diagnosis and mood-altering drugs so that they could collect federal disability checks.

Besides the $2.5 million payment, the settlement agreement requires the medical facility to set up educational and outreach programs to ensure that similar tragedies are caught before lives are destroyed. As the judge in the case explained, “there is no amount of money that can right this wrong.”

The settlement will go to the girl’s two siblings with whom she lived before her death. Those children’s lives have obviously been turned upside down by the death of their sister and arrest of both parents.

Continue reading "Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Ends in $2.5 Million Settlement" »

Outpatient Surgery News reported recently on developments in a medical malpractice lawsuit following a burn caused during a hysterectomy.

The female victim visited the Hurley Medical Center in 2005 to have a hysterectomy performed. She awoke from the procedure with a bandage on her right forearm. Underneath the bandage the she and her husband found a massive burn. When asked, a nurse called the wound an “open blister.” She explained that it was a “Bovie burn” resulting from the surgical staff’s failure to use a grounding pad on the patient’s leg during the procedure. The forearm injury should have been avoided as all medical professionals’ have a duty to prevent electrosurgical burns.

The lawsuit was filed shortly after the incident seeking vindication for the facility’s negligence. Specifically, the medical personnel should have properly monitored the equipment used in the procedure that could have caused burns on parts of the patient bodies not associated with the specific procedure.

The hospital attempted to kick the lawsuit out of court because of technical arguments about how the lawsuit was labeled and how standards of care were described. However, an appeals court recently allowed the suit to continue, rejecting most of the defendant’s claims. The woman is now one step closer to getting her day in court to share her story with a jury.

Continue reading "Victim of Electrosurgery Burn Can Pursue Malpractice Claim" »

Ultimate Pasadena News reported earlier this week on a new malpractice lawsuit filed by a woman against a hospital and nurse who treated her following a hospital stay. The lawsuit was filed because the victim claims that the poor medical care caused her injury. The plaintiff victim is alleging that she received damaging care at the Patients Medical Center Hospital. Specifically, she alleges that there was a problem with the administration of an IV into her harm.

The woman entered the facility in January of this year with pain in her right side of her body and face. In the course of treatment the nurse inserted an 18-guage IV into the victim’s left wrist. However, there were problems with the IV shortly after the insertion. The injured woman’s wrist started to swell which eventually had to be surgically corrected to release the pressure and swelling. The procedure is known as a fasciotomy, and the plaintiff alleges that it left her permanently injured.

Surgical errors are a common form of medical malpractice. Patients are often at risk for complications when their surgeons and nurses make mistakes when performing these risky operations. All patients should be guaranteed a basic level of care when they submit to the surgery.

Continue reading "Malpractice Lawsuit Filed After Surgical Error" »

Lancaster Online News recently explained two new jury verdicts handed down in area malpractice lawsuits.

The first case involved a doctor alleged to have made surgical mistakes leading to permanent nerve damage in a patient’s hand. The victim was a laborer whose right hand was injured in a construction accident. The worker eventually had surgery on the hand and was told he could go back to his job as a welder. However, the victim continued to have pain in the hand. Upon visiting a specialist, the man discovered that a nerve in his hand had been mistakenly cut in the first surgery. Ultimately five more surgeries were needed, but the problem could not be fully corrected. He has constant pain in the hand and only limited functionality. A jury awarded the victim a combined $2.7 million for his losses.

The second case involved an ankle surgery gone wrong. As in the first case, the surgeon mistakenly cut a nerve in the patient. The victim has since suffered permanent nerve injury to her right ankle and foot. She continues to suffer walking complications because the problem. A jury found in her favor following the trial, awarding her $300,000.

Continue reading "Jury Awards $3 Million Following Two Malpractice Lawsuits" »

NBC News reported last week on a new malpractice lawsuit filed by a young mother who lost both legs following medical mistakes made by medical professionals charged with her care.

The victim underwent a gynecological procedure at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola last October. Unfortunately, the operation left the 30-year old woman much worse off than planned. In the suit her lawyers claim that doctors at the facility punctured her intestine. The puncture caused an infection and blood poisoning which in turn led to the development of gangrene. Eventually both of the woman’s legs needed to be amputated below the knee to stop the developing infection.

Throughout the entire ordeal the victim was in a coma. She ultimately awoke three weeks later without any knowledge of what had happened.

Since leaving the hospital the woman was forced to move-in with her mother and is unable to perform many of the necessary tasks to raise her 10 year old daughter. She explains, “I’m not able to take care of my daughter, get her ready for school or take her to the bus stop like a used to.”

Continue reading "Malpractice Suit Filed After Woman Loses Both Legs" »

The Chicago Tribune reported last week on a verdict in a new medical malpractice lawsuit because of the conduct of staff members at Edward Hospital in Naperville.

The Chicago-area medical negligence medical affected a young thirty year old patient and her unborn child several years ago. The victim was 14 weeks pregnant when she was rushed to the hospital with abdominal pains. Edward Hospital staff members brought her to the postpartum unit but received little to no care while there. The nurses in the unit failed to monitor any changes in her condition or the growing problems with her unborn child. This lackluster care was given even though she told her medical caregivers that she had suffered a twisted intestine when she was a child.

It was only several hours after arriving that the victim lost consciousness and medical officials finally took action. By that time, however, her child was dead and her small intestine was beyond saving. She required a small intestine transplant a month later at a different hospital. However, she will suffer medical issues for the rest of her life because of the medical mistake.

Even more distressing the ongoing medical problems will have severe complications for any of the woman’s future pregnancy attempts. Her attorney explained, “With all the risk factors, the risks are too great to have a natural child.”

Our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys at Levin & Perconti continue to represent victims of inadequate medical care like this in hopes that future medical care will improve. It is only when problems are brought to the attention of the hospital and the mistakes are corrected that progress can actually be made to improve medical care at all times for all patients. If you have questions about the quality of care you or a loved one received at a local hospital, please contact a medical malpractice lawyer.

A new lawsuit alleging improper care during a gynecological treatment has led to a new lawsuit reports The Cayman News.

A woman is claiming that she suffered second and third degree burns following a procedure intended eliminate fibroids and thin the uterine wall. A few years ago the victim agreed to an endometrial ablation because she was experiencing pain in the uterus. During the procedure the doctor uses a wand filled with saline solution heated to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat of the solution is intended to burn off the problematic areas of the uterine lining. Normally a sheath around the wand prevents the very hot liquid from seeping out and causing damage to the patient.

However, in this case, the procedure did not go to plan. The lawsuit claims that the doctor did not exercise proper care when completing the treatment. The medical provider ignored warning signs on the medical equipment and even removed the wand while the burning solution was still being released. The doctor admitted to not reading the manual that came with the machine and blamed the nurses for the harm caused during the problematic procedure. Because of the negligent care, the patient was severely burned during the visit causing extreme disruption for all her family while dealing with the painful blisters.

Our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Levin & Perconti are committed to fighting for the rights of victims like the patient in this case. Too often when harmful doctor errors are committed, the reaction is simply to cover up the error or blame others. That type of denial only serves to further injury the victim and prohibits changes from being made that could prevent future mistakes. The best way to ensure that others do not fall victim to the same hospital mistake is to hold the negligent medical professionals accountable for the quality of care they provide.

Newsweek recently compiled an extended story that analyzes the growing problem of mistakes made by medical professionals that ultimately lead to severe harm to the unfortunate patients in their care.

The news magazine refers to a previous study that explained how almost 100,000 patients in American hospitals die each year from preventable medical errors. Experts who have analyzed that study since have admitted that the figures are likely on the low end, with the true number of killed patients much higher. Unfortunately, the problem is only growing with reports of wrong diagnoses, hospital infections, medication errors, and other mistakes higher than ever.

Steps have recently been taken recently with an eye toward improving patient safety. They include new Medicare and Medicaid regulations that disallow reimbursement for injuries that occur at hospitals which should have been prevented, including bed sores and blood transfusion errors. In addition, twenty eight states now require some form of reporting of hospital acquired infection rates—allowing consumers more information when deciding what facilities are best able to minimize preventable health problems. Those hospitals that continue to show increasing infection rates will ultimately have their Medicaid payments decreased as well.

The online mobilization of injured patients is being credited with helping to spur the changes and improvements in medical care. The communicative reach of the internet is allowing many more patients to share their stories of harmful hospital experiences, raising awareness of the issue that was previously little known. In the same way, we hope that this blog space acts as a means by which stories about medical mistakes are shared in an effort to build momentum around drives to improve medical care.

Our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Levin & Perconti are committed to working each day to eliminate medical mistakes. We have assisted victims of these hospitals problems for decades, ensuring that the legal rights of the injured and their families are respected and honored.

The Evansville Courier-Press reported on two separate medical malpractice suits in Vanderburgh County where juries found three doctors liable for errors.

The first suit involved the death of Rebecca Moore following complications from a surgery to correct a bowel obstruction. The jury found both her anesthesiologist and her surgeon liable for the deadly error. The two doctors failed to communicate with one another the fact that Moore would need respiratory assistance after the surgery. That assistance was never given, and Moore suffered cardiac arrest. The surgeon, Nghia M. Vo, has subsequently lost his license to practice medicine in the state.

The second suit stemmed from the mismanagement of childbirth that led to the death of triplets. The doctor in that case failed to properly take into account evidence of problems with the pregnancy following an ultrasound. The mother, Christina Tillerson underwent a cerclage procedure—to help prevent a premature birth—but the procedure wasn’t performed correctly. However, instead of taking into account the irregularities with the cerclage procedure, the negligent doctor did nothing. As a result, he failed to take other necessary steps to delay the pregnancy long enough for the three babies to develop more fully. Ultimately, Tillerson gave birth to the children when they were less than 21 weeks old, and they did not survive.

If you or someone you know may have been the victim of a medical mistake like the ones suffered here, please contact our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Levin & Perconti. Our team of attorneys have decades of experience helping families who suffered at the hands of negligent medical professionals.

A common critique lobbed against medical malpractice lawyers like ours at Levin & Perconti is that lawsuits are directed against doctors and hospitals that do not act negligently but simply have patients that happen to suffer severe medical problems. In reality, medical malpractice lawsuits are more often focused on rooting out those individuals and institutions that continually make clear mistakes leading to patient death and suffering. Far from scaring away competent doctors, the preservation of justice for patients is a way of ensuring that the medical profession (like all professions) is held to a reasonable standard of competence.

All too often a single institution shows a shocking and repeated lack of proficiency.

The Los Angeles Times recently discussed a local hospital that has come under fire for several incidents that led to multiple patient deaths. The repeated examples of medical problems at a single hospital highlight the reality that many medical errors seem to be committed by a small segment of the medical community that repeatedly performs below standards.

Three years ago at this hospital, Olive View, a 51 year old man was rushed in after ingesting very toxic oleander leaves. Unfortunately, contrary to law, the hospital did not have enough vials of the antidote available. The man died as a result of the basic failure to have proper medication ready for emergencies. That same year state investigators fined the hospital after the death of a young woman following a gallbladder removal. Investigators discovered that the massive infection that developed after the surgery was caused by improper follow-up care by doctors and nurses. Only a week after that death, a man died in the emergency room of the facility after waiting three hours complaining of chest pains. The medical staff could have prevented the death if they had only performed a simple test to ensure that he was not having a heart attack.

But that is not all.

A few months later an infant suffered brain damage from lack of oxygen after doctors delaying performing a C-section. The year after that, 2009, the hospital received two additional state fines for inadequate care related to mental health patients.

Olive View is clearly an institution that has made repeated errors that have literally killed patients who sought medical care at the hospital. The medical mistakes came in a variety of forms, but all show a clear failure to act competently and in accord with the law. This hospital, and others like it, needs to be held responsible for these problems.

Medical malpractice lawsuits often involve complex medical errors that would be difficult for any non-professional to sort through. That is why expert medical professionals are often used as witnesses in these cases to help explain what the negligent doctor did compared to what the reasonable doctor would have done in any situation. The nuance and complexity of these cases is an important reason to seek out experienced medical malpractice attorneys, like ours at Levin & Perconti, to help navigate the confusing legal and medical processes. Our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers have decades of experience developing relationships with experts across the country and understanding what care patients should have received in various medical situations.

However, sometimes a case comes along that is an obvious example of a hospital mistake even to someone with no medical training. Of course, the healthcare provider often refuses to admit the mistake and so victims must still use the legal system to seek some redress for the error.

A particularly troubling example of this gross medical malpractice was discussed last month by KARE 11. Max DeVries was 61-years old when he went into the St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota to undergo what was supposed to be a routine procedure to drain fluid from his back. A few weeks earlier Mr. DeVries had suffered a stroke and had part of his skill removed to reduce brain swelling. The back fluid was a byproduct of the brain swelling.

The beginning preparatory stages of the surgery proceeded as planned. Mr. DeVries was put into a gurney and slowly administered the appropriate anesthesia. However, laying limp in the surgery room, just before doctors were about to begin the process, he was allowed to roll off the bed and hit the hard tile of the floor. As a result of the fall, Mr. DeVries suffered massive bleeding of the head. He went into a coma-like state shortly after and died a month later.

This egregious example of hospital negligence is a prime example of how much patients are forced to depend on medical professionals in these critical surgical times. Mr. DeVries was under total anesthesia, unable to use or protect his body in any way. Hospital failure to ensure his physical safety in that setting is totally inexcusable.

When hearing the words “medical malpractice,” many people immediately think of drawn out legal battles and high courtroom drama involving diagrams of complex medical performances and experts testifying about unique medical procedures. However, in reality, when medical malpractice occurs many parties often never step foot into a courtroom for a trial. Instead, with appropriate legal help to negotiate the dispute, the victims of these mistakes often receive their compensation as a settlement.

For example, a recent medical malpractice settlement explained in the Silicon Valley Mercury News highlights an amicable agreement that is often reached by victims of medical mistakes and the facility that made the error. Fifteen year old Elizabeth Nicks was performing a high-school cheerleading stunt when she fell. She was rushed to the nearby hospital where she was treated for bleeding on the brain. After five days of care the hospital released her. Unfortunately, she should have never been allowed to leave the close supervision of medical professionals at the hospitals. The very next day she was rushed back to the hospital. The complications were too much for the doctors to fix completely. She now suffers from permanent brain damage, retardation, and paralysis.

Elizabeth will need close medical care for the rest of her life because of the complications from the fall. In order to pay for that, her family has agreed to a $5.5 million dollar settlement with the county which operates the hospital that negligently released her too early. In that way, the Nicks family was able to receive the proper compensation for their suffering without having to go through the ordeal of a trail.

Our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys at Levin & Perconti have similarly negotiated countless settlements with victims of medical mistakes. In one case, we successfully negotiated a $5.35 million settlement against a hospital that had failed to diagnose postpartum cardiomyopathy that led to the death of an 18 year old first time mother.

Victims of harmful medical mistakes and their families typically want to receive equitable compensation for their losses in as timely and efficient manner as possible. That is where skilled legal teams are vital. With the appropriate lawyers with settlement experience, injured victims are able to reach a fair conclusion to their ordeal without the burden and stress that prolonged legal battles bring.

A Virginia woman will be awarded nearly $2 million following a jury verdict which found her gynecologist guilty of medical malpractice reports the Winchester Star.

Thirty nine year old Shannon Taylor had a hysterectomy performed at the Winchester Medical Center operation room by Dr. Katherine Averill. The procedure is supposed to involve the simple removal a woman’s uterus. However, Dr. Averill made several mistakes during the operation, lacerating Ms. Taylor’s rectum and placing sutures connecting her vagina to her rectum.

Ms. Taylor began to experience rectal bleeding upon returning home from the surgery. When the mistakes were eventually discovered several surgeries and a colonoscopy were needed to fix the problem. But that wasn’t all. Ms. Taylor’s abdomen had been operated on in half a dozen occasions by the time all of these surgeries had been completed. The repeated abdominal surgeries eventually led to her suffering a hernia, which required even more medical care to correct.

On top of all the medical complications, Ms. Taylor eventually had to leave her job because she required so much medical attention. So often in medical malpractice cases like this, the health problems caused by the medical mistakes are only half the story. Personal and professional lives are often destroyed by the errors.

Our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Levin & Perconti understand the medical errors affect all areas of a victim’s life. From medical bills and lost wages to strains on relationships, the consequences of these mistakes are far reaching. Our lawyers are committed to pursuing all avenues to fully compensate the losses caused by these grievous healthcare errors.

Justice News Flash reported last night on a high profile example of medical malpractice. Dr. Michael Kamrava was the California fertility doctor who performed the artificial insemination on Nadya Suleman which resulted Ms. Kuleman giving birth to eight children. The unique nature of the births and interest in the children brought media attention to the doctor as Suleman became known across the nation as “Octomom.”

The Medical Board of California recently accused Dr. Kamrava of medical malpractice both in Suleman’s case and others. In the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Suleman’s octuplets, the Medical Board called Dr. Kamrava guilty of “a pattern of gross negligence” in allowing the process to unfold and for failing to adequately ensure that Suleman was a proper candidate to undergo the procedure. Suleman had six other children before the octuplet births, all of which were conceived through in vitro-fertilization (IVF).

This week the Medical Board filed charged Dr. Kamrava with other negligent acts, where he placed the patient’s safety in jeopardy. For example, Dr. Kamrava inserted seven embryos in a forty-eight year old woman which ultimately resulted in the woman becoming pregnant with quadruplets and placing her in extreme risk of complications. Eventually, the woman lost one child during birth and delivered the other three by Caesarian section with one developing severe brain problems.

In that case, the Medical Board explained that Dr. Kamrava failed to have the patient undergo a mental health evaluation and adequately determine if she was prepared to undergo multi-fetal pregnancy reduction. The standard of practice in the field mandates that those steps be followed.

These patterns make clear that Dr. Kamrava is often motivated more by selling a procedure and making money than ensuring the safety of the patients who seek his treatment. Our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Levin & Perconti have dealt with doctors and other medical professionals who had similar priorities. It is never appropriate for a doctor, nurse, aide, or hospital administrator to place the bottom line of the budget ahead of the proper care of those depending on their medical services.

If you suspect any deviation from what is proper care, contact a medical malpractice attorney to share your story and determine if more action is needed.

Cleveland.com is reporting a $1.5 million medical malpractice jury verdict awarded to the victim of medical malpractice and his wife in a case against two doctors. The couple has been waiting for more than two years to receive the justice they so rightly deserved in this case. The jury found that the doctors committed medical malpractice when they botched the victim’s bone marrow biopsy. During the procedure, the physician nicked the victim’s nerve and an artery in his hip. This medical error went unnoticed for five days when another surgeon had to remove two softball-sized hematomas from the man’s hip and pelvis. A fellow doctor was called two days after the procedure, but he did not to examine the victim. As a result, the man lost the use of his right leg below his knee. The medical error has also caused him chronic pain. To read more about this medical malpractice case, please click the link.

Trauma is the most common cause of a hematoma. They usually occur after car accidents and head injuries. When a blood vessel is damaged, blood leaks into the surround tissue. This man did not endure a trauma so to say, but the medical error caused the blood vessel damage. There are many complications of hemotoma, including a risk of infection. Doctors must be sure to adequately conduct medical procedures so as to avoid such drastic results. Also, doctors must acknowledge mistakes and act upon them quickly. In this case, if the doctor had examined the patient quickly after the procedure, the man may have the use of his leg. Instead, these problems went unnoticed for another three days. If the medical error was spotted early, less damage would have occurred. If you believe that you have been the victim of a surgical error, please consult a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer.

Today, the Illinois Supreme Court handed down a ruling in favor of patients and victims of medical malpractice throughout the state. According to a press release issued by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the Court ruled that medical malpractice caps are unconstitutional in a lawsuit about a young girl who suffered a significant brain injury due to medical negligence. ITLA president, Peter J. Flowers, applauded the Court’s decision, noting it will shift the focus to “meaningful insurance reform” that will cut costs for doctors and patients and will give Illinois residents access to quality care.

The Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Levin & Perconti support the Court’s ruling. Medical malpractice laws were designed to protect patients injured through no fault of their own. These laws allow victims to seek fair compensation for a health care provider’s mistakes. We are pleased that the Court ruled to protect patients’ rights to hold doctors and hospitals accountable.