Clifford Law Offices Receives $3 Million Verdict Against South Suburban Hospital
Press Release, 03/15/2007A jury returned a verdict for $3 million late Thursday (March 15) for the death of a Country Club Hills woman who died after doctors at St. James-Olympia Fields Hospital sent her home from the emergency room without diagnosis or treatment of a pulmonary embolism.
Tajuana Baker, 48, who had a history of blood clotting went to the emergency room in January, 2000, complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath. Rather than conduct the necessary tests to rule out a pulmonary embolism, she was sent home. She died seven days later from a second massive pulmonary embolism.
Keith A. Hebeisen and Jeffrey J. Kroll, partners at Clifford Law Offices, obtained the verdict following a two-week trial in Cook County Circuit Court before Judge John Grogan. The seven-man-five-woman jury deliberated three hours before returning a verdict against the hospital,
“We are gratified by the jury understanding the issues in this case and justly compensating this family for their tremendous loss,” Hebeisen said after the verdict. “She was a wonderful wife and mother. Had the doctors simply done what they were supposed to, Tajuana would be alive today.”
Baker is survived by her husband, Bradley, and two adult children.
Dr. Sophie Simeakis, an emergency room doctor, and Dr. Ellen Hennecke, her family physician, were found not liable.
