Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Receives Not Guilty Verdict in Medical Malpractice Defense Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Timothy G. Nickels and Shannon E. Buckley obtained a defense verdict at trial on behalf of their client, a radiology group, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
The case involved the death of a 17 year-old girl. Plaintiff alleged an employee of the group, co-defendant diagnostic radiologist, should have diagnosed a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) on a lower extremity ultrasound, and as a result of her failure to do so, the minor died of a massive pulmonary embolism (PE) two days later. Notably, no massive PE was seen on subsequent imaging studies or autopsy, but plaintiff claimed this was a result of CPR efforts pulverizing the clot.
Plaintiff asked the jury for $9 million plus $250,000 - $1.5 million in economic damages, and the jury returned a verdict for the defendants. The case was tried before Judge Slattery Boyle.
Timothy G. Nickels is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, and is on the firm's Executive Committee. Tim's practice focuses on the defense of physicians and other healthcare providers in medical negligence cases. He also represents other professionals in administrative and disciplinary proceedings before the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Tim is also a frequent speaker at professional organizations, associations, and societies on the topic of risk management from a defense attorney's perspective. Learn more about his practice here.
Shannon E. Buckley focuses her practice on healthcare and commercial litigation, working to resolve disputes through negotiations and taking matters to trial when necessary. She represents medical systems, hospitals, physician groups, and individual medical providers in medical negligence cases in Cook County and collar counties across Illinois. Learn more about her practice here.
