A $20 million payment was approved by Cook County commissioners to the family of a toddler who suffered from damage to his brain after undergoing surgery at Chicago’s Stroger Hospital. The settlement represented was one of four payments approved by the commissioners totaling $24 million, all related to medical malpractice claims against Stroger Hospital.
Justine Francique’s son Keith, now three years of age, had surgery at Stroger Hospital in December 2011 to repair an undescended testicle. According to court documents, the boy went into cardiac arrest after the surgery and medical personnel failed to perform CPR until after his heart had been stopped for five minutes. A pulse was not detected for more than 15 minutes. The cardiac arrest and lack of oxygen caused permanent, severe brain damage, according to court filings.
There was no discussion or opposition among the commissioners regarding the four payments approved.
John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County is the hub of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System. It is a 464-bed facility with 300 physicians and 400 medical residents and fellows. The emergency room treats more than 150,000 patients each year.
Robert Briskman is a Chicago car accident lawyer and Chicago car accident attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.
