$4 Million Settlement for Failure to Diagnose and Treat HELLP Syndrome

Ms. Doe was admitted to a hospital for an induction of labor due to preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder that is categorized by high blood pressure and often a significant amount of protein in the urine. In severe cases, there may be a red blood cell breakdown, low blood platelet count, impaired liver function, kidney dysfunction and other severe health threats for the mother.

Ms. Doe underwent an exam that revealed elevated blood pressure and lab tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) and liver function test. The tests were performed to rule out the HELLP Syndrome, a severe form of preeclampsia.

The HELLP Syndrome is a complication of pregnancy that is characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and a low platelet count.The syndrome usually manifests itself during the last three months of pregnancy or even shortly after childbirth.

Ms. Doe’s blood pressure remained elevated that day and trended upward. The next day, her blood pressure reached 165/100 mm Hg. That night, when she was administered an epidural, she began to bleed abnormally. Ms. Doe underwent an emergency cesarean section and later developed uncontrolled bleeding. She was treated with blood transfusions but suffered cardiac arrest. which tragically caused her death.

A lawsuit was filed against several obstetricians and others who had treated Ms. Doe. It was alleged that the cause of her death was the negligent failure to diagnose and treat HELLP Syndrome. The Doe family asserted that the defendants should have ordered repeat labs every six hours and should have delivered the baby much sooner.

The defendants reportedly argued that Ms. Doe’s death was a tragic event that can occur during pregnancy.

Before trial, the parties settled for $4 million.

The attorneys successfully handling this tragic case were Andrew C. MeyerJr. and Robert M. Higgins.

Doe v. Roes, Confidential docket.

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling medical negligence lawsuits, labor and delivery negligence cases, misdiagnosis of preeclampsia lawsuits, birth trauma injury lawsuits and wrongful death cases 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 Naperville, Downers Grove, Lisle, Palos Hills, Midlothian, Mokena, Richton Park, University Park, Country Club Hills, Darien, Addison, Bloomingdale, Highwood, Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, Algonquin, Des Plaines, Barrington, Chicago (Irving Park, Avondale, Lakeview, Edgewater, West Town, Greek Town, Douglas Park, Lawndale, Washington Park, Bronzeville, Bridgeport, Canaryville, Pullman, Morgan Park, South Deering, East Side), Oak Forest, Harvey, Calumet City, Lombard and Glen Ellyn, Ill.

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