People who are in pain may find relief in the hands of their physicians. However, when the physician overlooks a major problem, this can make the patient’s health problems worse, causing permanent injuries as well as emotional distress. In extraordinary circumstances, the patient may end up taking his or her life as a result of the alleged medical malpractice. If this occurs, the victim’s family members may choose to try to hold the offending physician accountable for his or her negligent medical treatment in Illinois.
In a recent out-of-state case, a man had a large lump in the lower part of his back. The man’s parents claimed that a pain doctor had overlooked the swelling in the area that occurred when he gave the man a steroid injection. The situation caused the man to develop meningitis, as well as a debilitating nerve condition in his spine.
As a result, the man ended up being impotent and could not control his bowels or bladder. He also had overwhelming, chronic pain and struggled to walk. He ultimately killed himself, and his family blames the doctor for the situation. The parents of the man recently were awarded $2.88 million for the man’s suffering as well as wrongful death. He was 40 at the time of his death.
The family of an individual who dies as a result of a doctor’s medical malpractice can sue for compensatory damages if there is evidence that the physician did not exercise a reasonable degree of care. Before damage claims are considered, financial liability must first be established to the satisfaction of a civil court in Illinois. A monetary judgment achieved as the result of a properly presented case may help to cover end-of-life expenses and other financial damages recognized under our state laws.
Source: The Wichita Eagle, ” Johnson County jury awards $2.88 million in malpractice case against pain clinic”, Alan Bavley, April 6, 2014
