Local Law Firms Home > Medical Malpractice News > Jury Awards Family 2.4 Million for Medical Malpractice Death Jury Awards Family 2.4 Million for Medical Malpractice Death An Edwardsville, Illinois family will be awarded $2.4 million as a result of a medical malpractice lawsuit. Sue Yates was 47 years old when she died due to bowel obstruction at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. The woman had been married for over 24 years to husband Tom, and had also left behind a son and granddaughter. After the verdict was reached, Tom Yates commented, "Most people don’t think of the risks when they go in for treatment. I know we didn’t. You never think it will be your loved one who suffers or even dies from a medical error." The multi-million dollar decision was made after a six year litigation. It is not uncommon for people suspected of bowel obstruction to be hospitalized. Intestinal obstructions can be treated with and without surgery, but treatments must be made quickly to minimize risk of death. Though it can be fatal, most patients are able to recover without complication if treatment is successful. Medical mistakes that cause injury or death often don't go to trial due to the complexity and financial strain associated with it. Often victims of medical malpractice and the family of the victims are either too busy grieving, or don't have the resources to pursue a trial. "We felt all along this was a preventable death," claimed the family's lawyer Paul Schoen. "She deserved someone fighting on her behalf and that’s what we did. It took nearly six years but we had to keep fighting for Sue and her family, to try and make things right as best we could." Schoen expressed his hope that the case and its result would raise awareness of the dangers of medical mistakes. Though he was happy of the jury's decision, he admitted that the money wouldn't bring back Sue Yates to her family. "Nothing will bring back Tom's wife, Andy's mother or Mayla's grandma," he said. The $2.4 million makes the case the second largest verdict in the southern Illinois county. Our medical malpractice attorneys can assist you if you have been a victim of negligence. If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to a medical mistake, contact a medical malpractice attorney in your local today. |