Lutheran General Hospital Settles Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for $2.75 Million

Lutheran General Hospital has agreed to settle for $2.75 million a lawsuit brought by the family of a man who died after being treated at the Hospital. The Honorable William Maddux of the Circuit Court of Cook County approved the settlement on November 17, 2009. The family was represented by medical malpractice attorney Kenneth Lumb of the Chicago personal injury law firm, Corboy & Demetrio., P.C. 

On August 10, 2009, a 59 year old man was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, after he suffered a head injury from an unwitnessed fall at a party. A CT scan revealed a small left temporal hemorrhagic contusion and he was admitted after midnight to the surgical intensive care unit for neurological observation.

Throughout the morning, he began to experience subtle changes in his vital signs and mental status, potentially indicative of increasing intracranial pressure. Ultimately these subtle changes resulted in a dilated pupil shortly after 10 a.m. which soon became fixed.

The Plaintiff alleged that the findings at approximately 10 a.m. required the nurses to contact a neurosurgeon who would have ordered an immediate CT scan and taken the patient to surgery. The nurse on duty testified that she notified both Dr. Martin Herman, the attending neurosurgeon, and Dr. Robert Sulkowski, the attending trauma surgeon. Both physicians denied they were notified.

The patient did not receive another CT scan until 2 p.m., at which point his intracranial hemorrhage had progressed markedly and his likelihood for recovery became virtually nil. He died in the evening of August 11, 2000.

“This husband and father was the heart and soul of his family,” said the family’s attorney, Ken Lumb. “His untimely and preventable death has robbed his family of his love, support and care. The family is relieved to finally obtain justice and closure to this tragedy.”

About Corboy & Demetrio

Corboy & Demetrio is one of the nation’s premier law firms. It represents individuals and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases and is renowned for its achievements in the courtroom and for its contributions to the community. The rights and concerns of its clients are at the core of Corboy & Demetrio’s practice. That commitment, dedication, compassion and relentless drive has resulted in exceptional service and exceptional results for its clients. The firm has acquired more than $3 billion in settlements and verdicts and has attained nearly 600 settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million.

For further information, contact Mary Neville, 312.346.391 or mjn@corboydemetrio.com.