Not Guilty – Alleged Failure to Treat Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Resulting in Fatal Rupture

Circuit Court of Cook County
Counsel: Steve Steinback & Jason Gluskin
Demand: $12.6 million
Asked: $9,727,354
Outcome: Not Guilty

Plaintiff alleged that defendants failed to properly treat decedent’s abdominal aortic aneurysm which resulted in a fatal rupture.  Plaintiff maintained that the defendants failed to inform decedent about the urgent nature of his 7 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm, and failed to refer the decedent to a vascular surgeon for repair of the aneurysm.  The defendant physicians confirmed, though not documented, that they impressed upon the decedent the seriousness of the condition.  In addition, the general surgeon (represented by Barker Castro) confirmed that he advised decedent to see a vascular surgeon.  Plaintiff countered that the general surgeon failed to advise decedent that he needed to see a vascular surgeon on an urgent basis.  As a result, the decedent planned to schedule a vascular surgery consult through his primary care physician six weeks later.  The aneurysm ruptured one week prior to the decedent’s appointment with his primary care physician, and the decedent expired following repair surgery.  The jury deliberated for four hours, and returned a verdict in favor of all defendants.