HPS Attorneys Secure Defense Verdict for Chicago Area Pediatrician and Physician Group

HPS Attorneys Secure Defense Verdict for Chicago Area Pediatrician and Physician Group

January 22, 2024

HPS Attorneys, Ben Patterson and Molly Pankauskas, assisted by Nicolette Taber, secured a defense verdict on behalf of a Chicago area pediatrician and physician group in Cook County. This case involved allegations of a delay in the diagnosis of appendicitis in a teenage patient resulting in subsequent infertility.

 At trial, Plaintiff alleged that the development of complicated appendicitis led to the development of peritonitis, adhesions, and abscesses which involved the fallopian tubes. This involvement allegedly compromised the function of both fallopian tubes such that Plaintiff claimed she would never be able to become pregnant and/or carry a healthy pregnancy to term. Patterson and Pankauskas presented experts who testified that the patient’s history and physical examination were inconsistent with appendicitis and that the Defendant pediatrician met the standard of care in her evaluation, assessment, and plan during the visit at issue. Moreover, there was no medical evidence to support the claim of infertility as testing showed that at least one of the fallopian tubes was open.

 At the conclusion of a two-week trial, the Plaintiff asked the jury for a verdict of $6 million, and the jury returned a verdict for the defense.

Disclaimer: This publication is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide general information on legal matters. Transmission is not intended to create and receipt does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Readers should seek specific legal and/or medical advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication. The attorney responsible for this publication is Marilee Clausing. This post constitutes a form of attorney advertising as defined by some state bar associations.