Danekas and Buckley Secure Defense Verdict in Medical Malpractice Trial

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Steven E. Danekas and Shannon E. Buckley secured a defense verdict on behalf of their client, a pediatric anesthesiologist, in a medical malpractice case in which the plaintiff sought $17 million to $23 million in damages.

The plaintiff alleged that the pediatric anesthesiologist deviated from the standard of care while providing treatment to a newborn undergoing general anesthesia for gastrostomy tube placement. The case involved a difficult and complex airway, an emergency tracheostomy, transfer to Lurie Children’s Hospital for a higher level of care, and subsequent tracheal reconstruction after a posterior tracheal tear was discovered.

The plaintiff alleged that the child suffered a hypoxic ischemic injury during the airway and tracheostomy procedure, as well as during later treatment that included cardiopulmonary bypass and a code event. Following several weeks of trial, the jury deliberated for approximately 52 minutes before returning a verdict in favor of the defense. The case was tried before Judge Patrick Heneghan.

Steven E. Danekas is a partner, litigator, and trial lawyer at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP. He has represented healthcare providers in medical malpractice litigation and clients in product liability, commercial, general casualty, construction, environmental, and toxic tort matters. Steve also has extensive trial experience in courts in Illinois and across the United States. Learn more about Steve and his practice here.

Shannon E. Buckley focuses her practice on healthcare and commercial litigation, representing medical systems, hospitals, physician groups, and individual medical providers in medical negligence cases throughout Cook County and the surrounding collar counties in Illinois. She has experience in all stages of discovery and has secured several defense verdicts in medical malpractice jury trials. Learn more about Shannon and her practice here.