A woman suffered injuries after giving birth back in 2011. She filed a lawsuit against the medical facility for medical malpractice, and a jury recently awarded her over $300,000 in damages. An overwhelming number of Illinois patients are injured each year due to hospital negligence.
While the woman was in labor, the nurse allegedly failed to properly secure or adjust the woman’s leg. The nurse apparently had looked away, and that’s when the woman’s right leg fell out of one of the stirrups and off the hospital bed. She did not realize how much pain she was in until after the epidural was no longer effective. Reportedly, the woman’s ligaments and muscles were torn in her right hip and leg. Eventually, the woman received two injections for pain in her lower back and hip and also went through a surgery to repair damage caused.
In addition, she could not work for two months, and due to her physical restrictions, her job as a nurse was affected. Currently, the woman still has medical complications and is in constant pain. The jury deliberated and came back with a verdict that awarded her $353,000 for damage, including pain and suffering, and loss of future earnings.
When someone suffers permanent injuries due to hospital negligence, it can place heavy burdens on the patient and his or her family. Since the patient may never be able to regain full functioning again, he or she may become dependent on loved ones for care. In injury cases like these, Illinois patients may have the right to file medical malpractice claims against the hospital to recover damages. Financial relief may be awarded if evidence demonstrates that medical staff was negligent in a manner that caused injuries.
Source: The Gazette, “Jury awards Cedar Rapids couple over $300,000 in negligence suit“, Trish Mehaffey, Aug. 19, 2014
Source: The Gazette, “Jury awards Cedar Rapids couple over $300,000 in negligence suit“, Trish Mehaffey, Aug. 19, 2014