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$325,000 Settlement in Failure to Test Reconnection During Colon Surgery

Harvey Mantei, 60, underwent colon resection surgery performed by U.S. Veterans Hospital staff surgeon Dr. Karen Kwong. Within several days of the surgery, Mantei developed peritonitis and later required two more surgeries as well as additional hospitalizations for treatment of renal failure and MRSA.

Mantei continued to suffer abdominal pain and scarring and required a corset to support his weak abdominal area.

Mantei sued the United States because it operates veterans hospitals, alleging liability for Dr. Kwong’s failure to perform air and water testing during the colon resection surgery to ensure that the surgical connection was sufficient.

As a result, Mantei claimed he suffered bowel leakage that led to sepsis. The lawsuit did not claim any lost income as a result.

The United States argued that the air and water testing was not the standard of care at the time of Mantei’s surgery. Before trial, the case was settled by the United States for $325,000.  Mantei’s counsel, Timothy Vanagas, engaged the expert opinion of a general surgeon to support this lawsuit.

Mantei v. United States, No. 3:13-cv-01735-SI (D. Or. 2015).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling surgical negligence cases, medical negligence cases, birth injury cases, birth trauma cases and hospital negligence cases for individuals and families who have been injured or killed by the negligence of a medical provider for more than 38 years, in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas including, Vernon Hills, Schaumburg, Schiller Park, Antioch, Flossmoor, Highwood, Lake Bluff, Gurnee, Grayslake, Crystal Lake, Mundelein, Calumet City, Des Plaines, Itasca and Rosemont, Ill.

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