Judge Declines To Reduce Medical Negligence Verdict Of $29M

Judge Declines To Reduce Medical Negligence Verdict Of $29M

Introduction

A federal judge declined to reduce a $29.9 million verdict awarded earlier to an Illinois man who was forced to undergo a kidney transplant by a health clinic. The federal appeals court upheld U.S. District Court Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel's verdict in November, stating that she should understand the negligence of plaintiff towards his condition. The defense lawyers argued that the plaintiff was more than 50% negligent as he skipped medical appointments and failed to take medications. Rosenstengel informed the court that although the plaintiff was minimally at fault, the nurse was inefficient and didn’t follow up on lab results, consult a doctor, or fully explain the condition. The plaintiff was diagnosed with Stage V chronic kidney disease, post which he received a new kidney, after spending two years in the transplant waiting list while on dialysis. Due to medical negligence, he may need more transplants.