Not guilty in failure to diagnose pneumonia.
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
Counsel: Pat Barker and Tim Dobry
Demand: None
Asked: $3 Million
Outcome: Not Guilty
Plaintiffs’ decedent, a chronic smoker for fifty years, presented to Defendant medical clinic complaining of shortness of breath and coughing. The patient had a history of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD and had part of her lung removed. She was seen by Defendant physician who worked up the patient for approximately three hours, ultimately discharging her on antibiotics for a suspicion of pneumonia with orders to return the next morning for observation. She was instructed to go to the emergency room if her condition worsened during the night. The patient was brought home by her daughter that night, and after making her dinner, left her mother watching TV and went to bed. Plainttiff’s decedent passed away in the early morning hours of January 29, 2000.
There was also a negligent credentialing claim brought by Plaintiffs, claiming that the Defendant medical clinic improperly credentialed the Defendant physician; a physician of good standing of nearly thirty years.
Plaintiffs asked for 3 million at trial, but the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.