$135 Million Jury Verdict for Failure to Diagnose, Treat Postoperative Problem: Permanent Quadriplegia

Faith DeGrand was just 10 when she was diagnosed with congenital scoliosis. To try to prevent the condition from worsening, Faith underwent surgery by a pediatric orthopedist, Dr. Eric Jones. In this surgery, Dr. Jones inserted hardware in Faith’s thoracic spine.

After this surgery, Faith experienced incontinence, numbness in her hands and fingers, and weakness in both legs. Dr. Jones examined Faith, but found nothing wrong. Another doctor took over Faith’s care after Dr. Jones went on vacation.

Faith’s condition worsened. Dr. Jones then performed another surgery to loosen the hardware he had placed in Faith’s thoracic spine during the first surgery. Despite this effort, Faith’s symptoms worsened. Dr. Jones then went on another vacation. The other doctor, taking over Faith’s medical care, ordered an MRI. Faith underwent yet another surgery, this time to remove the hardware, which had led to decreased blood flow to and indirect compression of her cervical spine.

Faith is now 17 years old and suffers from permanent quadriparesis in her four extremities and has lost bowel and bladder control.

Faith, through a representative because she is a minor, sued the hospital, alleging vicarious liability for the negligent failure to timely diagnose and treat the postoperative complications. It was alleged that had Faith’s doctors not waited 10 days to remove the hardware placed on or in her thoracic spine, she would not have suffered such serious injuries.

The jury signed a verdict for $135 million.

The attorneys successfully handling this tragic case were Geoffrey N. Fieger and James R. McCullen.

Dixon v. VHS Children’s Hospital of Michigan Inc., No. 13-015297-NH (Mich. Cir. Ct. Wayne County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been successfully handling misdiagnosis lawsuits, medical malpractice cases, birth trauma injury lawsuits, pharmaceutical defect cases and wrongful death cases for individuals, families and loved ones who have been injured, harmed or have died because of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County, Illinois and its surrounding areas including Westchester, Hinsdale, Wheaton, Aurora, Bellwood, Melrose Park, Wilmette, Harvey, Blue Island, Morton Grove, Chicago (Archer Heights, Bronzeville, Rogers Park, Englewood, Washington Heights, Beverly, Roscoe Village, Little Village), Burr Ridge, Oak Brook and Villa Park, Ill.