Reveille and Judge Secure Defense Verdict in High Stakes Medical Malpractice Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Kristine C. Reveille and McRay Judge secured a defense verdict at trial on behalf of their client, an emergency medicine physician and prominent hospital, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
Notably, this case had been pending since 2015. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant failed to order a psychiatry consult and was negligent in prescribing a one-week refill of Xanax to bridge the patient until his upcoming psychiatry appointment a week later. The plaintiff also alleged that this negligence resulted in the patient’s suicide six days after the emergency room visit.
The defense effectively argued that its doctor complied with the standard of care in evaluating the patient, by confirming that there was no acute psychiatric issue and that the patient had not had any thoughts of self-harm. Additionally, the doctor verified, through the Illinois prescription monitoring database, that the patient was, in fact, taking the requested medications and those medications were running out.
Plaintiff asked the jury for over $3 million. After approximately an hour of deliberations, the jury returned a not guilty verdict in favor of the defense. The case was tried before Judge Melissa Durkin.
Kristine C. Reveille concentrates her practice in the representation of physicians, physician groups, nurses, hospitals, and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases. Learn more about Kristine and her practice.
McRay Judge concentrates his practice in asbestos and toxic tort litigation, as well as medical negligence and healthcare. He has served as National Coordinating Counsel and Local Counsel for various defendants. Learn more about McRay and his practice.
Associate Caroline Keig was also integral to the hard-fought favorable result. She concentrates her practice in the representation of hospitals, physicians, physician groups, nurses, and other healthcare providers.
