Verdict for Grandfather Who Chokes to Death in Hospital
Press Release, 10/02/2007 Robert A. Strelecky, partner at Clifford Law Offices, obtained a $500,000 verdict on behalf of an 84-year-old man who choked to death at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in south suburban Harvey, Illinois. Sean P. Driscoll, associate at the firm, also tried the case with Strelecky.
Barnard Travaglini of Chicago Heights suffered from a swallowing disorder. Personnel at the hospital gave him a turkey sandwich for dinner and Travaglini, without proper monitoring, choked to death in his hospital bed. He left a wife and three adult children.
“It was clear in Mr. Travaglini’s chart that he needed assistance while eating, and hospital personnel simply neglected him,” Strelecky said after the verdict. “It is a tragedy that he was allowed to die in such a negligent manner.”
The eight-day trial was before Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Chiola. The seven man, five woman verdict deliberated four hours before delivering their verdict at the Daley Center on Sept. 13, 2007.
