Sarah F. King and Joseph T. Murphy, partners at Clifford Law Offices, obtained a record $6.47 million verdict on Thursday, February 15, 2024, in a medical malpractice case in Chicago, according to the Jury Verdict Reporter.
The 10-day trial in Cook County Circuit Court was obtained on behalf of a 58-year-old man who suffered debilitating injuries due to a malpositioned hip implant. The six-man, six-woman jury deliberated three hours before reaching its verdict before Judge Bridget Hughes at the Daley Center.
Thomas Augustine of Streator, IL, suffered permanent gait disturbance and severe aggravation of pre-existing back and knee arthritis over the 18 months that went by before the malpositioned implant was recognized and revised despite multiple post-op visits. The damages included but were not limited to, pain and suffering, loss of a normal life, and the loss of consortium for his wife, Leann.
“The plaintiff suffered miserably and needlessly for months and months following a procedure that was supposed to restore him,” King said following the verdict. “Sadly, this was a fixable problem that became a permanent disability. The defendant should have recognized the issue and corrected it, but she just couldn’t allow herself to consider her surgery was the problem. Thankfully justice was achieved for this family by our very thoughtful and attentive jury who saw the clear facts.”
The defendants in the case were Loyola University Medical Center and their admitted agent, Karen Wu, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon.
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).
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Case No: Thomas Augustine and Leann Augustine v. Loyola University Medical Center, a corporation; and Karen Wu, M.D.,
Court No. 2020 L 00729
Defense Counsel for LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER and KAREN WU, M.D.
Christopher M. Daddino
Jaqueline L. Van Der Wey
Cassiday Schade LLP
222 West Adams Street
Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60606