$7.43 Million Jury Verdict for Negligent Gallbladder Surgery

Howard Kinch was 34 when he underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by general surgeon Dr. Christopher Touloukian. One week after the surgery, Kinch was re-hospitalized and diagnosed as having bile in his abdomen.

Kinch was transferred to another hospital so that he could receive an external drain. The drain mechanism later dislodged, which led to the development of sepsis that required a procedure to reinstall the drain. He now must have numerous drain replacement procedures every year and requires daily flushing of this device.

Kinch and his wife sued Dr. Touloukian and his employer alleging that the doctor transected the common hepatic bile duct during the surgery and chose not to adequately visualize the surgical field.

He did not claim lost income.

The jury signed a verdict in favor of Kinch and his wife for approximately $7.43 million in damages.

At trial, the Kinch family attorney presented experts in surgery, life care planning, economics and interventional radiology.

The defendants presented experts in general surgery and economics.

The attorney successfully handling this difficult case was Thomas Mortati.

Kinch v. Touloukian, No. 149365/17 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. St. Lawrence County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling medical malpractice lawsuits, surgical negligence cases, physician negligence lawsuits, birth injury lawsuits, nursing negligence cases and brain 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 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Wilmette, Evanston, Lincolnshire, Morton Grove, Niles, Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Long Grove, Vernon Hills, Hawthorne Woods, Highwood, Northbrook, Glencoe, Elk Grove Village, Wood Dale, Bensenville, Schiller Park, Northlake, Villa Park, Lombard, Oakbrook, Westmont, Western Springs, Lyons, McCook, Summit, Cicero, North Riverside, Chicago (Homan Square, Tri-Taylor, West Loop, Heart of Chicago, Brighton Park, Whiskey Row, Canaryville, Grand Boulevard, Parkway Gardens, East Hyde Park, Woodlawn, Avalon Park, Marynook, Pill Hill, Calumet Heights, Cottage Grove Heights, Jeffrey Manor, Roseland, Arcade Row, Eden Green, Morgan Park, Brighton Park, Armour Square, Little Italy, Ukrainian Village), Oak Park, Melrose Park, Franklin Park, Park Ridge and Palatine, Ill.

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