The family of a 42-year-old Lakewood, Illinois, man received the largest Personal Injury/Wrongful Death award in McHenry County History (Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter). According to Patrick Salvi, the family's attorney, the Plaintiff tragically died after doctors failed to diagnose a pulmonary embolism.
On May 24, 1999, around 3:40 a.m., Harold Bodigor was taken by paramedics to Centegra Memorial Medical Center in Woodstock, Illinois, after complaining of dizziness and severe shortness of breath. At 7:30 a.m., Mr. Bodigor was taken for a chest x-ray and CT scan to rule out a possible pulmonary embolism. However, these important diagnostic films were apparently either not read by a qualified doctor or the readings were never communicated to Mr. Bodigor's treating doctor until nearly 12 hours later.
Mr. Salvi had alleged that the films should have been read shortly after the tests were performed. If so, Mr. Bodigor would have been placed into an Intensive Care Unit where he would have been carefully watched and treatment for the pulmonary embolism could have been administered.
"The issue here is the unnecessary delay in diagnosis," said Salvi. "Apparently, these films sat on a desk somewhere, not being read while Mr. Bodigor's condition worsened… until it was too late to save his life."
The complaint filed in the Circuit Court of McHenry County, Illinois, names the Plaintiff, Deborah Bodigor, Independent Executrix of the Estate of Harold R. Bodigor, Deceased, against the Defendants, Centegra Health System, an Illinois Corporation, Memorial Medical Center, Woodstock, an Illinois Corporation.
"As a result of this mistake, Mr. Bodigor lost an opportunity to be treated for his serious medical condition." Salvi added, "The money will not replace Hal, but will help support his wonderful wife and three lovely daughters. The family did not sue for the money, they wanted justice and to make sure this did not happen to another family… and the hospital, to their credit, has assured us that this kind of error will not be repeated."
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