$1.5 Million Settlement in Negligent Silencing of Medical Alarms Causing Death of Infant

Doe was born prematurely and underwent surgery. He was prescribed home oxygen therapy in anticipation of his discharge. While still hospitalized, Doe kicked his pulse oximeter off of his foot, prompting an alarm.

A respiratory therapist allegedly adjusted Doe’s nasal mask and repositioned him. Less than an hour later, a desaturation alarm sounded. A clinical assistant at the hospital allegedly silenced the alarm and subsequent alarms while providing care over the next 26 minutes.

Doe became cool to the touch. The clinical assistant allegedly attempted to auscultate a heartbeat. Unable to revive the heartbeat, the clinical assistant called for nursing assistance. When a nurse arrived, Doe was limp and unresponsive.

An MRI showed hypoxic brain damage resulting from cardiac arrest. Sadly, Doe died eight days later. He was survived by his parents.

The lawsuit against the clinical assistant alleged that she had improperly silenced the saturation alarms and that she had not been trained to provide medical care.

Before trial, the parties settled for $1.5 million.

The attorney handling this tragic case for the family was Krysia J. Syska.

Doe v. Roe, Confidential docket.

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling wrongful death cases, birth trauma injury cases, traumatic brain injury lawsuits and birth trauma injury lawsuits for individuals, families and loved ones who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 45 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Berwyn, Hinsdale, Villa Park, Melrose Park, Naperville, Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Bensenville, Itasca, Des Plaines, Glencoe, Highland Park, Barrington, Hinsdale, Alsip, Country Club Hills, Orland Hills, University Park, Lynwood, Blue Island, Chicago (Chatham, South Side, South Shore, East Side, Near North Side, Back of the Yards, Logan Square, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Portage Park, Albany Park, Edgewater, Uptown, Andersonville), Schiller Park, Rosemont, Stone Park and Elmhurst, Ill.

Robert D. Kreisman has been an active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.