Deborah Giorno, 67, of Ingleside in Lake County, Illinois, died March 28, 2018, a week before she was set to undergo a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) that was argued should have been performed more than a year and a half earlier.

“The case was very complex, but the very smart and attentive jury was able to work through all the medical evidence and understood what went wrong with Deborah Giorno’s medical care,” Cosgrove said following the verdict. “It is a tragedy that her husband and two children have to go through the rest of their lives without the person who once was their source of strength and great love. Debbie Giorno suffered much pain and suffering only to have neglect and incompetence lead to her untimely and premature death.”

At trial, Cosgrove detailed the complaints that Giorno communicated to her doctors and their staff, including fatigue, shortness of breath that limited her usual daily activities, and even chest heaviness. These complaints continued and worsened over a year and a half, with repeat echocardiograms demonstrating a worsening constriction of her aortic valve that was causing her heart to fail; however, Debbie Giorno’s medical providers who were managing her heart failed to refer her to a valve clinic to get the problematic valve replaced.

The jury deliberated two hours before returning an $8 million verdict that included $2.4 million for grief, sorrow, and mental suffering of the three family members. The court added $1.53 million in pre-judgment interest to the verdict as required by Illinois statute. The three-week trial was held before the Hon. Patricia O’Brien Sheahan of the Law Division of Cook County Circuit Court at the Daley Center.

T.J. Tomasik, partner at Clifford Law Offices, tried the case with Cosgrove.

For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-21-0909 (cell) or pammenaker@cliffordlaw.com.

Case No.: 19 L 7372

Attorney for Defendant, Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation, d/b/s Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Medical Group, Stephen Rowley, M.D., Steven Chough, M.D., Marty Nashert, APN
Stetson F. Atwood and Scott Kater
DONOHUE, BROWN, MATHEWSON & SMYTH
131 South Dearborn Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL
312-422-0900

The post Brad Cosgrove Obtains $9.53 Million Against Advocate Medical Group in Negligent Cardiac Care Case appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

King, who has obtained many large medical malpractice settlements and verdicts, addressed “Opening Statements on a Medical Malpractice Case” at the Westin Hotel, 320 N. Dearborn, Chicago.

The program covered several topics, including the “Judicial Perspective” presented by the Hon. Thomas V. Lyons II of the Law Division of the Cook County Circuit Court.

The half-day program provided attendees with four hours of CLE credit.

For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

Sarah King, partner at Clifford Law Offices, spoke to a full room of trial lawyers at the ITLA Update & Review Seminar on October 4.

Sarah King addressed “Opening Statements on a Medical Malpractice Case” at the ITLA Update & Review Seminar on October 4.

The post Sarah King Spoke on Medical Malpractice at ITLA Seminar appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

For more than six months, Edgardo Lopez, 56, saw his physician, Dr. Peter Yoon, who failed to undertake proper testing that would have discovered Lopez’s heart condition despite initial tests that indicated further medical testing was required in March 2019. Seven months after initial tests, Lopez was taken to the emergency room of a local hospital, where it was found he was in cardiac shock. The only way experts were able to save his life required a heart transplant that shortens a person’s life. Had it been discovered earlier, bypass surgery would have been a possible alternative.

“The negligence that occurred here clearly was avoidable and the jury understood that,” Hebeisen said following the verdict. “This man relied upon his doctor to do what was necessary, having been his physician and familiar with this patient for years. He neglected to do the right thing and now Mr. Lopez and his wife are left to suffer for the rest of their lives.”

The verdict was against Dr. Yoon and the DuPage Medical Group. The case was given to the jury Thursday who deliberated for nearly two days before reaching the verdict before Judge Karen L. O’Malley at the Daley Center.

The jury decided that Lopez is to receive $3.85 million, and $2.5 million was awarded to his wife, Jordana Arzadon, for loss of society and companionship.

Courtney Berlin, associate at the firm, assisted at trial.

For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

Case No.: 21 L 1755

Attorneys for Defendants:

• Scott Herbert and Anne Kuban
• Cunningham Meyer and Vedrine
• 1 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 2200 Chicago, IL 312-578-0049

The post Keith Hebeisen’s Clients Receive $6.35 Million Verdict in Medical Malpractice Case appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Courtney outlines Rule 30(b)(6)’s unique components and its significance in personal injury and medical malpractice cases. She illustrates how corporate representative depositions can strategically advantage plaintiffs’ attorneys in a range of legal scenarios.

To read Courtney’s article in full, click here.

The post Courtney Berlin Authored Article on Depositions for Trial Lawyers Magazine appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Cosgrove’s decade of experience at Clifford Law Offices holds many notable verdicts and settlements in medical malpractice and personal injury litigation. In 2024, Cosgrove led a trial team that obtained a $39.9 million record verdict on behalf of a 38-year-old man who was left permanently disabled following the failure to treat his high blood pressure that could have prevented a stroke. In 2019, Cosgrove was a part of the trial team that obtained a $101.6 million record verdict on behalf of a baby who sustained brain damage at birth when his external fetal monitoring strips were ignored for six hours at West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois.

First-hand exposure to complex trials and real-world application of his legal understanding were key components of Cosgrove’s transition from law student to trial lawyer. He attributes much of his success to participation in the school’s trial competition team as a student and the attorneys and faculty who coached Brad and his team to victory. In turn, Brad ushers in the next generation of trial lawyers by doing the same.

As a coach and sponsor of the annual mock trial program at the University of Illinois Chicago, Cosgrove continues to pay forward the mentorship and guidance he once received to students eager to demonstrate and test their legal knowledge and trial skills in a courtroom setting. The program has become a staple for 1L students and provides real-world application of legal understanding and trial skills including civil and criminal litigation, arbitration, negotiation, client counseling, and mediation.

The post University of Illinois Chicago 1L Trial Competition Honors Bradley M. Cosgrove appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Antonio DeAngelo of Hoffman Estates, then age 37, is permanently disabled following Advocate Physician Partners’ failure to treat DeAngelo’s abnormally high blood pressure that led to his suffering a debilitating stroke. Instead, the physician treated him with an antibiotic for flu-like symptoms in January 2015 and failed to follow up with any care despite knowing of the patient’s hypertension.

THE FAMILY AND LAWYERS SPOKE TO THE PRESS ON FRIDAY, MARCH 1, AT 2 P.M. AT 120 N. LASALLE ST., 36TH FLOOR, CHICAGO. THE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS ALSO HELD LIVE VIA ZOOM. SEE THE FOOTAGE BELOW.

“This man should be enjoying life to the fullest now. Instead, he finds himself struggling to get through every day,” Cosgrove said following the verdict. “The negligence of the medical providers here and their lack of accountability simply is uncalled for, and the jury did what was right and just. He will need a lifetime of care that his family simply cannot undertake.”

The six-man-six-woman jury deliberated four hours before Judge Preston Jones, Jr., of the Cook County Circuit Court before rendering its verdict late Thursday evening at the Daley Center. Devin J. Piper, associate at Clifford Law Offices, assisted at trial.

DeAngelo, a landscaper and landscape designer in the western suburbs, was suffering from a persistent cough when he went to a local pharmacy for care in 2015. It was there that it was discovered he had an elevated blood pressure of 132/82, and it was recommended he see a doctor to determine if he was suffering from hypertension. DeAngelo did so through his HMO plan seeing a primary care physician and complaining of trouble breathing in late January 2015. At that time, DeAngelo’s blood pressure had spiked to 190/102. The primary care physician’s diagnosis included acute bronchitis, elevated blood pressure, tachycardia, and morbid obesity. He did not treat DeAngelo’s high blood pressure or other diagnosed medical conditions.

About four weeks later, on March 11, DeAngelo’s co-workers observed him in distress and called 911. He was taken by ambulance to Loyola University Health System with blood pressure measuring 290/190, and it was discovered he suffered a hemorrhaging stroke. The jury found that the primary care physician failed to properly test or treat the patient including ordering an EKG, urinalysis, blood work, lab tests, or referring him to a cardiologist, despite his family history of hypertension.

After spending more than a year at the RIC/Shirley Ryan Ability Lab where he underwent physical, occupational, and speech therapy, DeAngelo has hemiparesis, and still is unable to walk long distances, unable to drive, dress, bathe or eat without assistance, and suffers speech issues from brain damage from the stroke. His right dominant hand is non-functioning. He is unable to work the rest of his life and requires lifetime care for what is expected to be a normal life span.

The verdict includes $20 million for disability. The couple have two children who then were aged 8 and 5.

For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

Case: DeAngelo v. Advocate Health Partners, d/b/a Advocate Physician Partners, No. 2020 L 2605.

Defense Counsel:

On behalf of Advocate Health Partners d/b/a Advocate Physician Partners: (Guilty)
Marni Slavick
Kipp Cornell
Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine, P.C.
One E. Wacher Dr., Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60601

On behalf of Advocate Health and Hospitals Corp., d/b/a Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital (found Not Guilty):
Stetson Atwood
Scott Kater
Donohue, Brown, Mathewson & Smyth, LLC
140 S. Dearborn St., Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60603
312-422-0900

Media

• Complaint – Filed
• DeAngelo Verdict form – signed
• Jennifer DeAngelo Statement
• Press Conference Footage:

• Photos Courtersy of Clifford Law Offices (click on the images below):

The post Clifford Law Offices Receives $39.9 Million Record Verdict Against Advocate Physician Partners; Press Conference with Family on March 1 appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Overworked nurses, unprepared surgeons, careless physicians, and short-staffed hospitals can all contribute to potential patient harm across any area of medicine. The most common medical malpractice cases Clifford Law Offices reviews are related to failure to diagnose and treat common medical conditions such as heart attack, infection and pulmonary embolism, preventable birth injury and birth trauma, surgical errors and lack of informed consent, and delayed or misdiagnosis cases.

If you suspect you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, knowing whether or not you have a case and identifying the best course of action can feel overwhelming. Taking the proper steps to prepare and protect yourself leading up to a claim can impact the overall success of your case. Continue reading to learn what steps you can take if you suspect medical malpractice.

Seek Medical Attention

If you are suffering from complications associated with suspected medical malpractice, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately to ensure you are not exposed to greater risk by prolonging proper medical treatment. Obtaining a second medical opinion often helps prevent further severe complications and can illuminate the cause or source of your initial injury.

Collect and Preserve Documentation

As soon as you suspect that you or a loved one may have been a victim of malpractice, request all medical records and healthcare documents from your healthcare providers. These records detail symptoms, medical history, diagnostic records, and prescribed medications, among other medical treatments. Practitioners are required to keep medical documentation which is vital in determining if you have a case and how your attorney should proceed. Remember to include a request for any imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, etc.), monitoring (EKGs, Fetal Monitor Strips), and pathology results.

In the event of a family member’s death, it is possible to request an autopsy to gain further understanding and documentation of what specific action or inaction caused death. If an autopsy was not offered by the institution where the death occurred or the medical examiner’s office, private autopsy options are available.

Research Illinois Medical Malpractice Claims

While every medical malpractice claim contains its own unique set of circumstances, understanding important aspects of the law such as the Illinois medical malpractice statute of limitations can help you ensure a viable case. Likewise, researching the results of previous cases brought against the same provider can provide you with additional perspective.

Taking time to research firms that specialize in medical malpractice is also essential to your claim. It is important to connect with a firm that has the resources and expertise to handle the most challenging cases and deliver results.

Contact An Attorney

Not every medical injury is caused by malpractice. It can be difficult to know if negligence occurred and how to prove it. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand the circumstances of your case, initiate private investigations, and determine options that are available for you to pursue.

Medical malpractice cases are notoriously complex and acting quickly to initiate a claim is key. If you believe you have been the victim of medical malpractice, do not hesitate to contact Clifford Law Offices, Chicago’s premiere medical malpractice law firm. Our attorneys have significant experience handling medical malpractice claims and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of injured patients.

The post What Should I Do If I Suspect Medical Malpractice? appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Keith A. Hebeisen, partner at Clifford Law Offices filed the complaint on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, against the University of Chicago Hospitals and Health Systems and Dr. Husam H. Balkhy for negligence in his attempt to repair her heart valve on September 25, 2023.

The complaint alleges that the doctor recommended a minimally invasive robotic heart valve procedure. Following the lengthy procedure, Colby was unable to transition off of bypass and suffered severe heart failure. She was transferred from the operating room to the intensive care unit in critical condition and died approximately three weeks later while still in the care of the defendants.

“Our expert report states that Ms. Colby underwent the wrong procedure which was negligently performed,” Hebeisen said. “We intend to get to the bottom of what happened because Ms. Colby did everything as she was advised and relied on this hospital and its doctor to properly treat her condition without her dying.”

David Chodak, Colby’s son, is the plaintiff and the executor of her estate. She is also survived by her husband Donald DeFrank.

Colby had served as chief executive officer of Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox for six years. She was mourned by the community as a “visionary leader.”

Case No. 2024 L 001696

For further information or for a copy of the filed complaint, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

Media

• View the full complaint here.
• Photos courtesy of the family:
  • Photo 1
  • Photo 2
  • Photo 3
  • Photo 4
  • Photo 5

The post Clifford Law Offices Filed Complaint Against U of C Hospital for Negligence in Death of Silver Cross Hospital CEO appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

The 10-day trial in Cook County Circuit Court was obtained on behalf of a 58-year-old man who suffered debilitating injuries due to a malpositioned hip implant. The six-man, six-woman jury deliberated three hours before reaching its verdict before Judge Bridget Hughes at the Daley Center.

Thomas Augustine of Streator, IL, suffered permanent gait disturbance and severe aggravation of pre-existing back and knee arthritis over the 18 months that went by before the malpositioned implant was recognized and revised despite multiple post-op visits. The damages included but were not limited to, pain and suffering, loss of a normal life, and the loss of consortium for his wife, Leann.

“The plaintiff suffered miserably and needlessly for months and months following a procedure that was supposed to restore him,” King said following the verdict. “Sadly, this was a fixable problem that became a permanent disability. The defendant should have recognized the issue and corrected it, but she just couldn’t allow herself to consider her surgery was the problem. Thankfully justice was achieved for this family by our very thoughtful and attentive jury who saw the clear facts.”

The defendants in the case were Loyola University Medical Center and their admitted agent, Karen Wu, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon.

For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

To learn more about Clifford Law Offices, click here.

Case No: Thomas Augustine and Leann Augustine v. Loyola University Medical Center, a corporation; and Karen Wu, M.D.,

Court No. 2020 L 00729

Defense Counsel for LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER and KAREN WU, M.D.
Christopher M. Daddino
Jaqueline L. Van Der Wey
Cassiday Schade LLP
222 West Adams Street
Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60606

The post Clifford Law Offices Obtains Record $6.47 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

The firm scored highly in Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories where the results were then hand-analyzed to select the best lawyers in each region. This selection criteria includes Availability, Credibility, Experience, Professionalism, and Reputation.

Clifford Law Offices attorneys have significant experience handling medical malpractice claims and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of clients.

The firm has also been named to the following Expertise.com lists for 2024:

• Car Accident Lawyers
• Litigation Lawyers
• Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
• Personal Injury Lawyers
• Truck Accident Lawyers

Click here to learn more about Clifford Law Offices’ medical malpractice expertise, reputation, and results.

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