Denning and D'Agnolo Secure Defense Verdict in Complex Medical Negligence Trial

We are proud to announce a recent defense verdict on behalf of a physician and health system in a complex medical negligence trial in Rockford, Illinois. The 55-year-old patient underwent an angioplasty for cerebral and subclavian stenosis, but while ballooning the subclavian artery, it ruptured, and the patient died four days later. The plaintiff alleged that the procedure was not indicated by the clinical circumstances, arguing that there was no documentation to support the decision to go forward with stenting the subclavian artery. After a complex trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the defense, finding that the physician’s care, decisions, and recommendations met the standard expected of a reasonably careful specialist under the circumstances. The jury found that the evidence - taken as a whole - demonstrated both the severity of the patient’s condition and the medical basis for proceeding with treatment.

While we are gratified by the result, we are mindful that the case arose from a profound loss. We extend our respect to the patient’s family and recognize the difficulty of reliving such events through the litigation process.

Mike Denning and Lindsey D'Agnolo tried the case with the assistance of our entire Rockford office. As has been typical over the years, Mike and Lindsey collaborated with partners in our other offices as well. This outcome reflects the firm’s longstanding commitment to defending healthcare providers in high-stakes, medically complex cases to ensure that clinical judgment is evaluated fairly and in context, despite the outcome.