FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Meyers & Flowers secure $8.1 million settlement in wrongful death suit against John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County
Chicago, IL – August 21, 2024 – Meyers & Flowers Trial Attorneys Craig D. Brown and Thomas M. Connelly recently secured an $8.1 million settlement against John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.
Our client, John*, presented to the emergency room at Stroger Hospital suffering from left shoulder and abdominal pain following a minor car crash a few days earlier. After physical exam and diagnostic imaging were completed, John was diagnosed with a splenic laceration and was admitted for overnight monitoring.
The following day, John’s condition worsened, and he exhibited many signs and symptoms of internal bleeding including an elevated heart rate, decreased hemoglobin, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Despite the clear signs and symptoms of internal bleeding, John was kept on the observation unit and was not transferred to the ICU for increased monitoring. Sadly, after complaining for several hours, John coded and died.
After being contacted by John’s family, Attorney Brown and Attorney Connelly quickly filed a lawsuit against Stroger Hospital, successfully pleading around potential tort immunities that would have protected Stroger Hospital, a unit of local government, from liability.
Stroger Hospital argued that it did not deviate from the standard of care, and that John’s death was unexpected and unforeseeable because no testing revealed John suffered from internal bleeding when he arrived at the hospital.
However, early in the discovery process, Mr. Brown and Mr. Connelly established a timeline of events demonstrating that Stroger Hospital failed to respond to John’s worsening condition despite several nurses sounding the alarms about internal bleeding concerns. Attorney Brown and Attorney Connelly successfully proved their timeline through eliciting helpful testimony from Stroger Hospital’s own employees.
Ultimately, Mr. Brown and Mr. Connelly built a strong case that revealed Stroger Hospital ignored the obvious warnings signs of John’s active internal bleeding and failed to respond with one of several reasonable options, including sending John to the ICU or sending him to the operating room to remove his spleen.
In initial settlement discussions, the hospital attempted to diminish John’s family’s claim due to the low economic damages available. However, the Meyers & Flowers team rightfully established that John’s children suffered intense grief as a result of losing their father’s love, affection, and care. Because of Mr. Brown and Mr. Connelly’s vigorous and efficient efforts, the family was able to find closure and settle the case within 7 months of filing their lawsuit.
“This was an avoidable tragedy. While nothing can replace the damage our client’s family has suffered, we are hopeful that this settlement brings some well-deserved closure to the family and will provide for John’s children in the future,” said Attorney Brown.
Craig D. Brown, Thomas M. Connelly, and the entire team of trial lawyers at Meyers & Flowers have earned a reputation for relentlessly pursuing justice for people who have been seriously injured or killed by wrongful conduct.
If you or a loved one has experienced negligent medical care, we want to hear from you. Call Meyers & Flowers at 630-576-9696 for your free, no obligation case evaluation.
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About Meyers & Flowers
Led by Illinois Top 100 Super Lawyer and former President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Peter J. Flowers, the Meyers & Flowers’ team of experienced trial attorneys routinely take on large challenges and succeed. For more than two decades, the firm has represented clients both locally in Chicago and nationally in a full spectrum of cases involving catastrophic personal injuries, sexual abuse, medical malpractice, product liability and corporate litigation.
Contact us today at 630-576-9696 for your free, no obligation case evaluation or click here.
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Media Contact:
Nicole Dykas, Director of Marketing
Phone- 630-232-6333 | Email- [email protected]
*Name has been changed for privacy and confidentiality purposes.