Bradley M. Cosgrove, partner at Clifford Law Offices, late Thursday, September 12, 2024, obtained a $9.53 million verdict on behalf of a suburban mom stemming from the negligent care of a cardiologist, electrophysiologic, and an advanced practice nurse over a period of 16 months leading to her death. The defendant, Advocate Medical Group, made no offer to settle prior to the verdict during the pendency of the case.
Deborah Giorno, 67, of Ingleside in Lake County, Illinois, died March 28, 2018, a week before she was set to undergo a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) that was argued should have been performed more than a year and a half earlier.
“The case was very complex, but the very smart and attentive jury was able to work through all the medical evidence and understood what went wrong with Deborah Giorno’s medical care,” Cosgrove said following the verdict. “It is a tragedy that her husband and two children have to go through the rest of their lives without the person who once was their source of strength and great love. Debbie Giorno suffered much pain and suffering only to have neglect and incompetence lead to her untimely and premature death.”
At trial, Cosgrove detailed the complaints that Giorno communicated to her doctors and their staff, including fatigue, shortness of breath that limited her usual daily activities, and even chest heaviness. These complaints continued and worsened over a year and a half, with repeat echocardiograms demonstrating a worsening constriction of her aortic valve that was causing her heart to fail; however, Debbie Giorno’s medical providers who were managing her heart failed to refer her to a valve clinic to get the problematic valve replaced.
The jury deliberated two hours before returning an $8 million verdict that included $2.4 million for grief, sorrow, and mental suffering of the three family members. The court added $1.53 million in pre-judgment interest to the verdict as required by Illinois statute. The three-week trial was held before the Hon. Patricia O’Brien Sheahan of the Law Division of Cook County Circuit Court at the Daley Center.
T.J. Tomasik, partner at Clifford Law Offices, tried the case with Cosgrove.
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-21-0909 (cell) or pammenaker@cliffordlaw.com.
Case No.: 19 L 7372
Attorney for Defendant, Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation, d/b/s Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Medical Group, Stephen Rowley, M.D., Steven Chough, M.D., Marty Nashert, APN
Stetson F. Atwood and Scott Kater
DONOHUE, BROWN, MATHEWSON & SMYTH
131 South Dearborn Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL
312-422-0900