Bradley M. Cosgrove and Charles R. Haskins, partners at Clifford Law Offices, obtained a $39.9 million record verdict on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, on behalf of a man left permanently disabled following the failure to treat his apparent symptoms that could have prevented a stroke. The verdict is a record in the state of Illinois for a stroke victim, according to the Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter.
Antonio DeAngelo of Hoffman Estates, then age 37, is permanently disabled following Advocate Physician Partners’ failure to treat DeAngelo’s abnormally high blood pressure that led to his suffering a debilitating stroke. Instead, the physician treated him with an antibiotic for flu-like symptoms in January 2015 and failed to follow up with any care despite knowing of the patient’s hypertension.
THE FAMILY AND LAWYERS SPOKE TO THE PRESS ON FRIDAY, MARCH 1, AT 2 P.M. AT 120 N. LASALLE ST., 36TH FLOOR, CHICAGO. THE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS ALSO HELD LIVE VIA ZOOM. SEE THE FOOTAGE BELOW.
“This man should be enjoying life to the fullest now. Instead, he finds himself struggling to get through every day,” Cosgrove said following the verdict. “The negligence of the medical providers here and their lack of accountability simply is uncalled for, and the jury did what was right and just. He will need a lifetime of care that his family simply cannot undertake.”
The six-man-six-woman jury deliberated four hours before Judge Preston Jones, Jr., of the Cook County Circuit Court before rendering its verdict late Thursday evening at the Daley Center. Devin J. Piper, associate at Clifford Law Offices, assisted at trial.
DeAngelo, a landscaper and landscape designer in the western suburbs, was suffering from a persistent cough when he went to a local pharmacy for care in 2015. It was there that it was discovered he had an elevated blood pressure of 132/82, and it was recommended he see a doctor to determine if he was suffering from hypertension. DeAngelo did so through his HMO plan seeing a primary care physician and complaining of trouble breathing in late January 2015. At that time, DeAngelo’s blood pressure had spiked to 190/102. The primary care physician’s diagnosis included acute bronchitis, elevated blood pressure, tachycardia, and morbid obesity. He did not treat DeAngelo’s high blood pressure or other diagnosed medical conditions.
About four weeks later, on March 11, DeAngelo’s co-workers observed him in distress and called 911. He was taken by ambulance to Loyola University Health System with blood pressure measuring 290/190, and it was discovered he suffered a hemorrhaging stroke. The jury found that the primary care physician failed to properly test or treat the patient including ordering an EKG, urinalysis, blood work, lab tests, or referring him to a cardiologist, despite his family history of hypertension.
After spending more than a year at the RIC/Shirley Ryan Ability Lab where he underwent physical, occupational, and speech therapy, DeAngelo has hemiparesis, and still is unable to walk long distances, unable to drive, dress, bathe or eat without assistance, and suffers speech issues from brain damage from the stroke. His right dominant hand is non-functioning. He is unable to work the rest of his life and requires lifetime care for what is expected to be a normal life span.
The verdict includes $20 million for disability. The couple have two children who then were aged 8 and 5.
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).
Case: DeAngelo v. Advocate Health Partners, d/b/a Advocate Physician Partners, No. 2020 L 2605.
Defense Counsel:
On behalf of Advocate Health Partners d/b/a Advocate Physician Partners: (Guilty)
Marni Slavick
Kipp Cornell
Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine, P.C.
One E. Wacher Dr., Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60601
On behalf of Advocate Health and Hospitals Corp., d/b/a Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital (found Not Guilty):
Stetson Atwood
Scott Kater
Donohue, Brown, Mathewson & Smyth, LLC
140 S. Dearborn St., Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60603
312-422-0900
Media
- Complaint – Filed
- DeAngelo Verdict form – signed
- Jennifer DeAngelo Statement
- Press Conference Footage:
- Photos Courtersy of Clifford Law Offices (click on the images below):
