March 29, 2024

Millions given to family in Wrongful-death suit

A $4.5 million settlement was reached in Estate of Krzysztof Bialas v. Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center. A 42-year old warehouse worker fractured his pelvis at work, arrived at the Advocate Christ Hospital and died four days later because the hospital staff did not recognize he had a ruptured bladder.  He had been operating a forklift when he injured his pelvis.  According the plaintiff’s counsel, the pelvis fracture was not severe and the hospital was not planning on performing surgery.  From the onset, the nurses allegedly reported that the victim had symptoms that normally necessitating a CT scan. As procedure dictated, the CT scan was performed.  The family claims that results were misinterpreted as negative.

What everyone missed was a bladder laceration that could have been treated very early on with the insertion of a catheter.  A catheter was inserted the next day, but it was already too late.  Because of the bladder laceration, the victim suffered a severe infection, which developed into sepsis. Sepsis can be a potentially deadly medical condition when combined with an infection which causes a whole-body inflammatory state, also called systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).  In this case, sepsis led to multi-system organ failure and the ultimately death.

Judge Drella C. Savage of the Circuit Court of the Cook County approved the settlement because it was fair and reasonable.  The defense approached the plaintiff early in the case and stated they would like to proceed with mediation.  Plaintiff’s counsel acknowledged that the defense approaching with meaningful negotiations was critical to an early settlement.  This helped both sides save litigation costs and emotional turmoil that the plaintiff’s family would have been put through. At the very least, the large settlement supports the victim’s family and allows his children to attend college.

 

 

 

Speak Your Mind

*