Wiegler, Buckley Obtain Defense Verdict in High-Stakes Medical Negligence Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Shera D. Wiegler and Shannon E. Buckley obtained a defense verdict at trial on behalf of their clients, a pulmonary and critical care physician and his practice group, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
When initially filed, this wrongful death case included 80 named medical defendants. Once the 3-week trial began, Plaintiff alleged that four treating physicians failed to intubate the patient for treatment of his acute hypercapnic respiratory failure that developed following a cardioversion procedure for atrial fibrillation. Plaintiff further claimed that, had her husband been intubated before the Code Blue was called, he would have survived.
While educating the jury on the complex medical issues involved, the defense masterfully argued that intubation was not indicated, that non-invasive mechanical ventilation was more appropriate, and that the patient died from a sudden, unpredictable cardiac event rather than a respiratory arrest.
Plaintiff asked the jury for $3,750,000+, and the jury returned a verdict for the defendants after about 6 hours of deliberation. The case was tried before Judge Elizabeth Budzinski.
Shera D. Wiegler focuses her practice on the representation of hospitals, nursing homes, physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice lawsuits. Learn more about her practice here.
Shannon E. Buckley focuses her practice on healthcare and commercial litigation, working to resolve disputes through negotiations and taking matters to trial when necessary. She represents medical systems, hospitals, physician groups, and individual medical providers in medical negligence cases in Cook County and collar counties across Illinois. Learn more about her practice here.
