$650,000 Settlement for Failure to Diagnose Sinusitis

Doe was a toddler when taken to MetroSouth Medical Center suffering from a three-day history of fever, headache and eye symptoms. Doe had an elevated heart rate and blood pressure at the hospital. The child was allegedly discharged with a diagnosis of fever and ringworm with instructions to follow up with a pediatrician.

The child’s fussiness increased and he developed a swollen right eye, a cough and a cold. Two days later, a physician assistant (PA) allegedly diagnosed periorbital cellulitis and prescribed antibiotics. Periorbital cellulitis is an infection of the eyelid or skin around the eye. It is an acute infection of the tissues surrounding the eye, which may progress to orbital cellulitis with protrusion of the eyeball.

Doe was found unresponsive that day. He was rushed to a hospital and diagnosed as having sepsis, subdural abscess, empyema (pus collection) and sinusitis. Doe then underwent emergency neurosurgery and other treatment. He now suffers from permanent brain damage.

Doe, through his parents, individually filed suit against Blue Island Hospital Co., MetroSouth Medical Center’s operator, alleging that it chose not to diagnose sinusitis. The Doe family alleged the hospital failed to adequately assess Doe, recognize the seriousness of his elevated heart rate and blood pressure, request details regarding his eye concerns, recognize that he had an emergency condition, order a CT scan, and call for a neurological consultation.

The lawsuit also named the United States, which was the physician assistant’s employer.

The lawyers handling this case for the Doe family are Heidi L. Wickstrom and Matthew L. Williams.

The Doe family settled with Blue Island Hospital Co. for $650,000. The lawsuit against the United States is still pending in the federal district, the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago.

Doe v. United States, No. 1:20-cv-02872 (N.D. Ill.)

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling medical negligence lawsuits, misdiagnoses of sinusitis, medical malpractice cases, birth 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 47 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Barrington Hills, Long Grove, Bannockburn, Arlington Heights, Elgin, Joliet, Romeoville, Crystal Lake, Cary, Round Lake Beach, Waukegan, Lake Bluff, Mundelein, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Glenview, Wilmette, Niles, Skokie, Chicago (Near North Side, Little Italy, Little Village, Garfield Park, Back of the Yards, Kenwood, Woodlawn, Douglas, South Shore, Hyde Park, Grand Crossing, Calumet Heights, Chatham, Wrightwood, Ashburn, Mount Greenwood, West Pullman, Morgan Park), Bolingbrook, Bridgeview, Hickory Hills, Country Club Hills, Mokena and Frankfort, Ill.

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