$885,000 Cook County Jury Verdict in Misdiagnosed Appendicitis

Karol Stawarz was complaining to his primary care physician, Dr. Victor Forys, about his lower abdominal pain. Dr. Forys diagnosed gastroenteritis and prescribed medicine. He also told Stawarz to follow up in 24 hours or go directly to the hospital if his condition got worse.

On the following day, Stawarz went to a hospital where he was diagnosed as having a perforated appendix. Stawarz required an emergency appendectomy and later developed a fistula, which necessitated a temporary colostomy.

Stawarz and his wife  sued Dr. Forys and his medical practice, claiming that Dr. Forys chose not to timely diagnose the appendicitis by ordering a stat CT scan and sending Stawarz directly to the hospital after that examination.

The lawsuit did not claim any lost income. A Cook County jury returned a verdict of $885,200. The attorneys representing the Stawarz family were Bradley M. Cosgrove and Amanda Dworak-Mathews. Plaintiff’s counsel called to trial two medical experts — a family practice physician and a general surgeon.

Karol Stawarz v. Victor Forys, M.D., No. 10 L 10720 (Cook County, Ill.).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling medical negligence cases, nursing home abuse cases and hospital negligence cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 38 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Blue Island, Calumet Park, Riverdale, Harvey, Crestwood, Midlothian, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Worth, Bridgeview, Justice, Hodgkins, Chicago (Lawndale, Garfield Park, Austin, Belmont Heights, Edison Park), Des Plaines, Elmhurst and Villa Park, Ill.

Related blog posts:

$1 Million Medical Negligence Jury Verdict Where Median Nerve Was Severed During Carpal Tunnel Surgery

$1.5 Million Cook County Jury Verdict in Patient Death for Delayed Diagnosis in Vascular Surgery

Illinois Appellate Court Holds Expert Witness Meets Qualifications; Bonner v. Ostro