Clifford Law Offices Settles Nearly $10 Million in Medical Malpractice Cases

Robert Clifford and Keith Hebeisen, partners, settled a case Wednesday, Oct. 24,  on behalf of the estate of a 31-year-old woman who suffered cardiac arrest and severe brain injury when doctors at the University of Chicago Hospital and Health System administered a combination of medication that caused cardiac arrhythmia, resulting in cardiac arrest and severe brain damage.  She died two years later at the age of 33, leaving a husband and four young children

The $6.5 million settlement was reached on behalf of the estate of Ama Thomas of Chicago.  Judge Thomas Quinn of the Law Division approved the settlement order.

A second case that Hebeisen settled involved a 55-year-old Des Plaines woman who died following the failure of a radiologist to timely and properly detect a tumor on her spine.  Agatha Kraft suffered back pain, weakness and numbness of her lower extremities yet was only recommended physical therapy following an MRI.  She later died from complications of the spread of the tumor, leaving a husband and adult daughter. 

Judge Jennifer Duncan Brice of the Cook County Circuit Court Law Division approved the settlement and the probate order was approved Wednesday, Oct. 24, in the amount of $2 million.

Two defendants, Addison Radiology Associates and Arthur Heath, M.D., are named in the final probate order.  The remaining defendants, Resurrection Health Care, Resurrection Medical Center, Resurrection Services Corporation, d/b/a Resurrection Health Care Open MRI, Manohar Bhandarkar, M.D., and Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center were dismissed without prejudice in the case.
   
A third medical malpractice case settled on behalf of Audrey Sewell, a 33-year-old Romeoville woman who had extensive skin grafting to repair severe damage caused by a bacteria known as the “flesh-eating” bacteria, acquired during a liposuction treatment at an outpatient facility in Rosemont.

Hebeisen, partner Susan Capra and associate Craig Squillace obtained a $1.35 million settlement.  Judge Deborah Dooling approved the settlement order which was finalized by the parties this week.

“All of these people suffered either terrible injuries or the loss of a loved one.  Their suffering cannot be overstated,” Hebeisen said.  “Doctors and all medical personnel treating their patients must learn to be careful in the treatment of their patients.  People count on them for that.  If not, as these cases demonstrate, there must be accountability.”