Cook County Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Secures $3.4M Verdict
Understanding Kidney Failure Lawsuits and Medical Negligence
A Cook County jury has awarded $3.4 million to a woman who suffered kidney failure caused by a doctor-prescribed drug before a colonoscopy.
A blood test in March of 2002 confirmed that plaintiff Martha Minnifield suffered from chronic kidney disease. One month later, Minnifield was instructed by gastroenterologist Doris Lurwick to take a three-ounce bottle of Fleet Phospho-Soda Buffered Saline laxative prior to undergoing a colonoscopy. This over-the-counter laxative is widely known to pose a risk of kidney failure in patients with kidney disease.
The plaintiff turned to Attorney Edward McNabola and Attorney Theodore C. Jennings for representation. She and her attorneys claim that the doctor should have prescribed GoLytely, a safe alternative drug that poses no risk to the kidneys.
As a result of this medical error, Minnifield had to undergo 2.5 years of dialysis, amounting to $574,000 in medical bills. It took the jury less than two hours to reach a verdict.
How Medication Errors Lead to Severe Kidney Damage
A Cook County jury awarded $3.4 million to a patient who developed kidney failure after a gastroenterologist prescribed a dangerous laxative despite known chronic kidney disease risks. This medical malpractice lawsuit demonstrated clear negligence, as the doctor failed to prescribe a safe alternative medication. The patient's resulting condition required extensive dialysis treatment, highlighting the severe consequences of such errors. This case exemplifies how medication error lawsuits can arise when healthcare providers disregard patient safety protocols. The prescribed Fleet Phospho-Soda laxative was known to pose significant dangers to patients with existing kidney conditions. Despite this knowledge, the medical professional proceeded with the risky treatment before a routine colonoscopy procedure.
The $3.4 million medical negligence verdict reflected the substantial dialysis treatment costs and immense physical suffering endured by the patient. Jurors recognized the profound impact of the preventable injury, reaching their decision in less than two hours. This outcome underscores the importance of holding medical professionals accountable for substandard care. Successful kidney failure lawsuits require demonstrating both the breach of medical standards and the direct causation of harm. Our legal team thoroughly documented how the prescribed medication directly triggered the patient's renal failure. We established that alternative, safer preparations were available and should have been used. If you've suffered due to similar medical errors, contact our experienced Chicago medical malpractice attorneys today. We help victims secure compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from negligence. Our firm has a proven track record of achieving significant settlements and verdicts for injured patients.
Read the full story in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Click here to view the Jury Verdict Report.
Have you been injured and you suspect that medical negligence played a role? Contact McNabola & Associates, LLC for a complimentary consultation.