David Barry and Susan Schwartz Secure Record-Setting $22 Million Verdict for Family in Death of Mother After Childbirth

A Cook County jury awarded a record $22 million to the family of Rachelle Bentivenga, a 34 year-old mother, who died after giving birth because the labor and delivery room doctor and nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois, failed to properly treat her acute high blood pressure. It is the largest Illinois medical malpractice verdict for the death of a woman. Attorneys David Barry, Jr., and Susan Schwartz represented the family.

David Barry appeared on CBS Channel 2, NBC Channel 5 and ABC Chanel 7, and radio stations WBBM and WGN on the record-setting verdict of $22 million for the death of a mother after childbirth. The case was also featured in Chicago Lawyer. Along with his partner, Susan Schwartz, Barry tried the case in the Circuit Court of Cook County. It is the largest verdict in Illinois history for the death of a woman.