April 18, 2014
(L to R: Sarah F. King, Associate at Clifford Law Offices; Mariola Zapalski, plaintiff; Bradley M. Cosgrove, Partner, Clifford Law Offices; Rafal Zapalski, husband of Mariola and plaintiff in the $14 million verdict)
Bradley M. Cosgrove, partner at Clifford Law Offices, obtained a $14 million verdict Friday ( April 18, 2014) against the prescribing doctor on behalf of a 37-year-old Chicago woman who suffered a severe disabling stroke 13 days after starting the birth control medication Yasmin.
Mariola Zapalski, originally from Poland and now of Elmwood Park, was prescribed the controversial birth control medication by Dr. Zbigniew Aniol of Chicago. After taking the medication for less than two weeks, she suffered a severe debilitating stroke that paralyzed her entire left side, resulting in the loss of use of her arm and leg. She also sustained profound and permanent brain injury. She is now wheelchair bound and requires 24-hour round-the-clock care.
“We are pleased with the fact the jury understood the seriousness of this case and the severity of Mariola’s injuries,” Cosgrove said following the verdict. “The conduct of the defendant left a young woman’s life forever changed and hopefully this verdict will send a message to other health care providers to be very careful in prescribing this medication that can be very dangerous.”
Sarah F. King, associate at the firm, second chaired the trial. Susan Capra, partner at Clifford Law Offices, assisted in preparing the case for trial. The two-week trial was held before Cook County Circuit Court Judge Edward Washington II with a four-woman-eight-man jury. Yasmin has been under attack by medical professionals in the past several years for severe side effects including causing strokes in young women.
Cosgrove reached a $2.5 million settlement against the hospital, Resurrection Medical Center, about a month ago in this same matter. Case No. 09 L 4061
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For further information, please contact Clifford Law Offices’ Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-251-4877 or 847-721-0909 (cell).
Pammenaker@Cliffordlaw.com
www.CliffordLaw.com
Attorneys for Defendant, Dr. Aniol:
Pretzel & Stouffer
Charles Redden
Amy Thompson
1 S. Wacker Dr,., Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60606
312-578-7664