Shannon McNulty and Bradley Cosgrove, partners at Clifford Law Offices, obtained a $6.5 million settlement on behalf of a 35-year-old man who died after negligent care at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
A jury was selected before Judge Thomas V. Lyons of the Cook County Circuit Court and opening statements were set to begin when the parties reached a settlement late Friday afternoon.
An order was entered Monday, April 4, 2016 dismissing the case as a result of a $6.5 million settlement to be paid out among the defendants as follows: Northwest Community Hospital to pay $3.5 million; Dr. Vinay Singh, a radiologist, for his $1 million policy limits; $1 million from his medical group, Northwest Radiology Associates, S.C.; and $1 million is to be paid by the cardiology group, Dev Medical Associates, S.C. The court is retaining jurisdiction to effectuate the settlement.
The case involved Nicholas Figaro, a husband and father formerly of Mt. Prospect, who went to Northwest Community Hospital’s emergency room complaining of a sudden onset of burning chest pain. Upon arrival at the emergency room, a chest x-ray was performed. He was subsequently admitted to the hospital as a result of his symptoms per the family’s insistence. The following morning, he underwent a stress test that revealed a possible abnormality but was ultimately thought to be a false positive, and he was discharged without a definitive diagnosis. It was alleged that numerous medical providers failed to appreciate an abnormality present on the chest x-ray prior to discharge. He woke up very early the following morning and died from an aortic dissection of the ascending aorta.
McNulty added, “A simple surgical consultation on Mr. Figaro’s behalf would have revealed an enlarged aorta with dissection underway and surgery would have saved his life.”
“We recognize that Nick’s widow and young child suffered a tragic loss but are satisfied that justice prevailed in our legal system. While the role Nick played in his family can never be replaced, the family can now turn their attention to moving forward with their lives,” Cosgrove said.
Figaro is survived by his wife Beth and one young child.
The trial was expected to last at least two weeks.
________________
Figaro v. Northwest Community Hospital, et. al., No. 12 L 4745.
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909, Shannon McNulty or Bradley Cosgrove at 312-899-9090. www.CliffordLaw.com