Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Coleman v. Presence Hosps. PRV, No. 14 LA 257 (Ill. Cir. Ct. McHenry Cnty. May 9, 2019).

Curtis Coleman, a 59-year-old man with a family history of cardiac disease, went to Provena Saint Joseph Hospital, complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. A physical and an EKG revealed demonstrated sinus rhythm with nonspecific ST-T wave changes. Additionally, an X-ray revealed an enlarged heart. Coleman was admitted for further evaluation.

Internist Debbie Yu-Tungol ordered a stress test, which revealed an ejection fraction of 65% and no evidence of ischemia. Testing of Coleman’s cardiac enzymes was also normal. Yu-Tungol discharged Coleman with instructions to take a daily aspirin and follow up with her in two weeks.

One week later, Coleman experienced severe chest pain and was readmitted to the hospital. There, cardiologist James Burks diagnosed unstable angina and recommended a cardiac catheterization. This revealed 95% stenosis in the left main coronary artery, and Burks called on a cardiac surgeon to perform coronary bypass surgery.Before the procedure, however, Coleman suffered fatal cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife and three adult children. 

Coleman’s wife, on behalf of his estate, sued Burks, his group, and the hospital, alleging failure to terminate the catheterization procedure after discovering the 95% blockage, failure to place a stent in the left main coronary artery, and failure to timely place an intra-aortic balloon. Suit did not claim lost income.

The parties settled for $1.3 million.

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Susan A. Capra, Keith A. Hebeisen, and Joseph L. Rourke, all of Chicago.