Clifford Law Offices Obtains Record $12 Million Verdict in DuPage County
Press Release, 10/03/2007 Keith A. Hebeisen, partner at Clifford Law Offices, obtained yesterday (Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007), a $12 million verdict against a DuPage County doctor on behalf of a boy who was brain damaged at birth due to a delayed cesarean section delivery. It is believed to be a record verdict in a medical malpractice case in DuPage County, the previous high being $6 million.
Benjamin Hayes, now seven years old, has normal intellect but has no control over his limbs. He also has difficulty eating and requires tube feedings. He will be in a wheelchair the rest of his life and requires round-the-clock care.
Benjamin was delivered by crash emergency C-section after doctors at Central DuPage Hospital waited too long to deliver him. Experts said Benjamin would otherwise have been a healthy child.
The verdict was against Dr. Steven Armbrust, the family practitioner who was actively involved in the care and delivery of the infant, and his previous medical partnership, Burandt & Armbrust LLP in St. Charles.
“The story of Benjamin Hayes is a tragic one, and one that the jury understood,” Hebeisen said after the verdict. “This child is expected to live a normal life span with full cognitive skills, yet he is forced to physically suffer injuries that could have been avoided. He deserved a better life than that. This verdict will provide him with the care that he requires.”
Hebeisen tried the case before Judge Hollis Webster. Mary Sweeney, associate at the firm, assisted Hebeisen in the seven-day trial. The five-man-seven-woman jury deliberated six hours before reaching its verdict Tuesday.
