Clifford Law Offices Reached $3.3 Million Settlement With Mercy Hospital

Keith A. Hebeisen, partner at Clifford Law Offices, yesterday (Tuesday, Aug. 23) obtained a settlement on behalf of a 30–year-old man who died as a result of a blood clot in his leg that led to his death after doctors at Mercy Hospital negligently failed to treat him with anti-coagulation drugs.

John Stone of Chicago was admitted to the medical center 11 years ago complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath. Doctors there failed to administer medication that would have immediately controlled the problem. Instead, medical personnel discharged him from the hospital in a few days and failed to properly monitor his condition. He was re-admitted to the hospital with similar problems and developed a blood clot in his leg that went undiagnosed and untreated. He died a couple of days later as a result of a massive pulmonary embolism.

Hebeisen had tried the case against the hospital and five physicians last year before now retired Judge James Quinlan in Cook County Circuit Court and obtained a $3.049 million verdict following a five-week trial and nearly three days of deliberation.

The settlement comes while the case was on appeal after the denial of the hospital’s post trial motion.

Hebeisen is the current President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Katherine L. Dzik, associate at Clifford Law Offices and named one of 2005 Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s 40 Under 40 Attorneys, also tried the case with Hebeisen.