RESULTS
$25.31 Million Verdict in Wrongful Death Medical Malpractice Case
Matthew Dudley and Marisa Schostok represented the Estate of a 55-year-old man who died as a result of septic shock caused by an undiagnosed anastomotic leak following a hernia repair surgery. Following a three-week trial in Cook County, the jury found in favor of the Plaintiff and determined the surgeon negligently discharged the patient from the hospital despite his worsening condition. The jury awarded $25,312,039.59 in damages, which will go to the widow and three children of the decedent.
$25.04 Million Verdict in Malpractice Birth Injury Case
Matthew Dudley and Kevin Golden represented an eight year old boy who suffered from lack of oxygen prior to birth resulting in permanent and irreversible brain damage. The boy was awarded $24,000,400, one of the highest medical malpractice verdicts in the history of the State of Illinois. The jury concluded that the doctor failed to properly interpret a non-stress and an ultrasound both of which revealed very non reassuring findings. Dudley & Lake retained five highly credentialed medical experts in order to establish the defendant was guilty of medical malpractice and caretaking needs which would be needed.
“When representing the victims of medical malpractice it is important to know and understand the resources which will be used by the liability insurance companies to defend the case. Dudley & Lake is proud to be one of the select law firms who are capable of “matching” resources so that their clients receive the highest quality of representation.”
$20 Million Dollar Settlement with Hospital for Minor in Malpractice Case
Matthew Dudley and Marisa Schostok represented a 14-year old girl who suffered from a lack of oxygen while in the emergency department of a hospital, resulting in permanent and irreversible brain damage. The girl was in the emergency department due to extreme lethargy, inability to control her secretions and vomiting. While in the radiology department for imaging studies, the hospital’s nurses removed her supplemental oxygen, pulse oximetry monitor and failed to protect her airway. Due to the lack of supplemental oxygen, monitoring device and airway protection, the girl was left alone, without oxygen, for over twenty minutes. As a result, she suffered cardiac arrest and permanent brain damage. Due to her catastrophic injuries, the girl now requires 24-hour nursing care for the rest of her life. Mr. Dudley and Ms. Schostok were able to obtain a personal injury settlement against the north suburban hospital for $20 million.
$11.23 Million Record Verdict in Highway Crash
Matthew Dudley represented a man from Morton Grove who was injured in a traffic accident in western Nebraska. The man was stopped as a result of an earlier set of accidents, exited his vehicle to check if anyone needed assistance, and was struck from behind by an 18 wheel tractor trailer. As a result of the accident, the man sustained reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) of his right arm as well as compression fractures to four vertebras. The man’s right arm, his dominant arm, was rendered useless. The obtained verdict set a state record of $11,230,000 as well as being recognized as the second highest in U.S. history for suits involving RSD.
Near Record Award for Police Officer
Thomas Lake received one of the highest awards recorded in Illinois for an injured police officer in a workers’ compensation claim. The officer sustained work injuries which ultimately prevented him from continuing in his usual and customary occupation as a police officer. After a trial and appeal, the officer was ultimately paid a settlement that was one of the highest recorded settlements for injuries similar to the police officers.
$9.4 Million Settlement for Medical Malpractice Suit
Matthew Dudley settled a case against a Suburban Chicago hospital in the amount of $9,400,000. The plaintiff was undergoing a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) when he received too much in addition to his oxygen level not being monitored appropriately. As a result, the patient suffered brain damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain. The patient will require a high level of medical care for the remainder of his life and is now unable to work or care for himself or perform any activities of daily living. The settlement proceeds will allow for the patient’s wife to provide the high level of care he will require.
$8.25 Million Settlement for Medical Malpractice Suit
Dudley & Lake settled a case in the amount of $8,250,000 against a Chicago hospital arising out of negligence resulting in a child suffering lack of oxygen and subsequent brain damage during labor and delivery. The parties to the settlement are restricted due to confidentiality provisions, but the settlement was reported by Chicago Lawyer Magazine to be in the top 15 legal settlements reported during 2008. The settlement represents another example of Dudley & Lake’s ability to achieve the highest results for their clients.
$8 Million Settlement for Man Suffered Brain Injury During Hospital Treatment
Kevin Golden settled a case in the amount of $8,000,000 on behalf of a 20 year old man against Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. The man suffered a brain injury while being treated for brain cancer at the hospital. While in admittance for chemotherapy, the plaintiff’s sodium levels shot up resulting in a grand mal seizure that put him into a coma for approximately 10 days. The plaintiff suffered a severe brain injury and is currently confined to a wheel chair along with being diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, behavioral dis-control, seizure disorder, cognitive disorder and impulsive control disorder. The plaintiff remains in the care of his parents with his cancer in remission. The medical error seriously injured a young man who would have led a normal life.
$6 Million Settlement for Medical Malpractice Suit
Matt Dudley and Alex Campos represented the estate of a 40 year old man who died as a result of negligence in the work-up of his congenital heart disease. The man should have undergone surgery sooner, and died one week before his scheduled heart surgery. This case was previously rejected by another attorney before the family brought the case to Dudley and Lake.
$6 Million Settlement for Personal Injury Suit
Thomas Lake represents a nine year old girl, who was tragically injured when a concrete wall collapsed and fell on her at the United States Navy Base in Great Lakes, Illinois. As a result of this event, Mr. Lake’s client became blind in one eye, deaf and suffered significant scarring and disfigurement. Mr. Lake was able to achieve a global settlement with all defendants in this case for a total sum of $6,000,000.00
$5.3M settlement in 2019 motorcycle crash
Two Winnebago County motorcycle riders who were seriously injured in a 2019 crash have settled their case for $5.3 million.
The plaintiffs were “riding staggered” headed south on Route 213 in Magnolia, Wis., when the defendant entered the intersection headed west on County Highway B.
“Initially the defendant denied running the stop sign, but she eventually admitted she did it,” said Dudley & Lake LLC managing partner Kevin J. Golden, who represented the plaintiffs. “She just pulled out in front of both riders.” One rider was not able to stop and hit the rear passenger door, causing him to be thrown from the motorcycle. The other purposely tipped her motorcycle while it was moving to avoid running head on into the vehicle.
One plaintiff was intubated for 11 days and needed to be put on life support. He also suffered a hip fracture and nerve damage, resulting in a dropped foot, and a left wrist fracture which has significantly limited his range of motion.
The other suffered a fracture to her left tibia, a left degloving injury and a complete heel pad avulsion, in addition to several broken bones in her foot. Despite undergoing extensive surgeries to rebuild her leg and foot, it is possible the plaintiff, will still need to have her left leg amputated below the knee.
“Five million dollars is a lot of money,” Golden said. “Thankfully, we were able to resolve it for my clients. They’re both good people. Hopefully, this will help them move on with their lives and make things easier for them in the future, because they both have a tough road ahead of them.”
$5 Million County Record Settlement for Medical Malpractice Suit
Matthew Dudley reached a settlement agreement on behalf of a woman who was victimized of medical malpractice of $5,000,000, the highest medical malpractice settlement in DeKalb County history. The woman went in for treatment at Kishwaukee Community Hospital’s emergency room when she was diagnosed with cellulitis. She was sent home from the emergency room after doctors observed markedly abnormal laboratory results and a red, swollen right arm. She returned to the ER 19 hours later with a bacterial infection that had not been monitored properly. The plaintiff suffered profound septic shock resulting in the amputation of both legs below the knee and the loss of most of her fingers on both of her hands. This settlement will allow for the woman’s future medical needs to be adequately met, in addition to housing modifications she will require as a result of her injuries.
$4.75 Million Settlement for Personal Injury Suit
Thomas Lake and Jacquelyn Melius settled a personal injury suit for $4,750,000 on behalf of a North Chicago man who suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of a heavy shelving unit falling off a Salvation Army Truck and landing on his head. The plaintiff was a non-employee (a participant in their rehabilitation program) of the Salvation Army assigned to assist the driver, an employee of the Salvation Army. The injury left the man’s left leg completely paralyzed.
$4.2 Million Settlement for Family in Waukegan Hospital Lawsuit
Matthew Dudley settled a hospital lawsuit in the amount of $4,200,000 to a family of a former Lake County finance director who died from a heart attack at Waukegan’s Victory Memorial Hospital. The man’s family claimed that the man did not receive proper care upon arrival at the emergency room when he had complaints of chest pain. The family also complained that he was not connected to a heart monitor until after almost 20 minutes after arrival at the hospital.
$4 Million Settlement for Industrial Accident
Thomas Lake and Thomas Schippers recovered a $4,000,000 settlement on behalf of a truck driver whose right leg was amputated below the knee after a one-ton bundle of steel fell on him. The Plaintiff was waiting for a flatbed trailer to be loaded with steel tubing when the accident took place. A lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County alleging that a fork lift driver negligently operated a forklift and caused a bundle of steel to fall on the Plaintiff’s leg. The lawsuit also named the company where the accident occurred, the fork lift maintenance company, and the company who contracted with the Plaintiff to haul steel from the site where the accident occurred as defendants.
$3.9 Million Settlement For Man Who Died in Airplane Accident
Kevin Golden filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the estate of a man who died in a 2015 airplane accident. The case resolved in 2024 with a confidential settlement in the amount of $3,981.000.00 which was paid by unnamed defendants and insurers.
$3.85 Million Settlement for Medical Malpractice Suit
Kevin Golden settled a case against Alexian Brothers Medical Center and several doctors in the amount of 3,850,000. The 26-year-old plaintiff underwent gastric bypass surgery at Alexian Brothers Medical Center. The treating surgeon failed to recognize that a preoperative lab revealed that the plaintiff had a low Bl vitamin level going into the surgery. After the surgery, the plaintiff continued to suffer from a B 1 deficiency. Approximately three months after the surgery, the plaintiff fell into a catatonic state. The plaintiff was admitted into Alexian Brothers Medical Center and the doctors failed to diagnose her B 1 deficiency. The plaintiff was transferred to a mental health unit and the admitting doctor at the mental health unit performed an examination and diagnosed the plaintiff with a B 1 deficiency. The plaintiff was replenished with B 1. However, the plaintiff suffers from peripheral neuropathy in her lower limbs and she has short-term memory loss.
$3.1 Million Settlement for Motor Vehicle Collision
Attorneys Thomas Lake and Jacquelyn Melius successfully secured a $3,100,000 settlement on behalf of a sewer and water worker that was involved in a tragic motor vehicle accident. As a result of the accident, the injured laborer sustained injuries to his shoulder and leg which prevented him from returning to his union job. In addition to resolving this personal injury claim, Mr. Lake and Ms. Melius were able to successfully resolve the laborer’s workers’ compensation claim. The settlement reached provides the laborer and his family financial security and replaces the significant wages and benefits that were lost as a result of the accident.
$2.75 Million Settlement for Negligent Monitoring During Surgery
Matthew Dudley settled a case for $2,750,000 on behalf of a widow whose husband died due to anesthesia negligence. The patient, a 50 year old male, was undergoing an elective surgical procedure under general anesthesia. The anesthesiologist did not realize that the endotracheal tube had been placed in the esophagus, resulting in the patient suffering profound brain damage due to lack of oxygen which led to his death three days later. Anesthesia machines are equipped with monitoring devices which should detect the presence of carbon dioxide, indicating the patient has been correctly intubated. In this case, the anesthesiologist bypassed the built in monitoring device and ignored the requests of the nursing staff to recheck the intubation. This was a very preventable medical error.
$2.3 Million Settlement for Medical Malpractice Suit
Matthew Dudley and Jacquelyn Melius settled a medical malpractice case against at certified nurse mid-wife employed by University of Illinois Hospital for $2,300,000. A videotape of the delivery showed the nurse midwife performing inappropriate force and maneuvers which are not medically appropriate during the delivery. As a result, the plaintiff suffered severe nerve damage, known as brachial plexus, to her right arm. The plaintiff has required two nerve graph procedures attempting to restore function to her right arm. The medical problem encountered “shoulder dystocia” is a complication of birth of which there are several recognized obstetrical maneuvers which are used and allow for the baby to be delivered uninjured. Unfortunately, the nurse midwife in this case failed to perform the recognized maneuvers, and as the videotape established, exerted too much force and forever changed the life of her patient.
$2.25 Million Settlement for Wrongful Death of Mother with Respiratory Arrest
Matthew Dudley and Samantha Sindles settled a wrongful death medical malpractice case against a suburban Cook County hospital for $2.25 million dollars. The deceased was a 41-year-old married mother. Her daughter is now 18 years old.
The case involved the failure of the hospital staff to respond to increasing complaints of respiratory distress following an abdominal hysterectomy. The failure to act on the worsening condition which was caused by the post-operative aspiration of stomach contents led to her respiratory arrest and death. Dudley & Lake retained some of the nation’s foremost experts in critical care medicine and surgery in order to achieve this result. The settlement was featured by Chicago Lawyer Magazine as one of the most noteworthy malpractice settlements of the year.
$2.2 Million Settlement for Wrongful Death of Newborn
Kevin Golden reached a $2.2 million settlement with Northwestern Hospital and the attending obstetrician/gynecologist of a child who died one day after being born at the hospital. The Estate alleged that the staff contacted the attending on several occasions after the fetal monitoring strips revealed prolonged decelerations. After the nurse contacted the attending after the third time and asked her to come to the hospital, the attending did not come and instructed the nurse to perform the vaginal exam. The unit attending instructed the nurse to tell the OB/GYN that she was required to come to the hospital to perform the exam herself. Upon arriving to the hospital, the OB/GYN ordered an emergency C-section before the vaginal exam, and then decided it was best to proceed with a vaginal delivery. She was unable to deliver the baby because the baby’s head had become wedged into the mother’s pelvic bone. The baby suffered a comminuted skull fracture as well as subdural, subgaleal, and subarachnoid hemorrhages. She passed away eight hours later. The baby would have been a healthy child otherwise.
$2.1 Million Settlement for Permanent Disability for Injured Worker
Thomas Lake was able to secure a settlement of $2.1 million for a man who was injured during the collapse of a trench. The worker, who was a plumber, was in a trench connecting pipes when the trench collapsed causing dirt to fall on top of him. His injuries resulted in his permanent disability.
$2 Million Settlement for Medical Malpractice Suit
Kevin Golden and Alex Campos represented a 54 year old man who presented to the hospital with fever and back pain. He had a spinal epidural abscess that the doctors failed to timely recognize and treat. Due to the delay in treatment, the man remained paralyzed from the waist down. Settlement was made with one of the patient’s doctors and a medical group.
$2 Million Record Settlement in Extravasation Injury Case
Matthew Dudley and Marc McCallister settled a $2 milion record settlement on behalf of an 80 year old woman who suffered an extravasation injury after receiving chemotherapy from a malpositioned Port-A-Catheter at Hematology/Oncology of the Northshore. After being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, the patient was ordered to have a Port-A-Catheter, which later became malpositioned, placed for administration of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was administered through the malpositioned port resulting in the plaintiff to suffer from severe and debilitating chemical burn to her right chest wall. The chemotherapy extravasated outside the blood vessel and collected in the tissue of the right breast, destroying the surrounding tissue which required several procedures such as a radical mastectomy and extensive surgeries to reconstruct the chest wall and eradicate infections. This is the highest settlement on record for an extravasation injury in the state of Illinois.
$1.9 Million Dollar Settlement in Dental Malpractice Case
Matthew Dudley and Marisa Schostok represented the widow of a 55-year-old man who died during a dental filling procedure. In October 2016, the decedent was receiving a filling by a dentist who administered sedation anesthetics for the procedure. The sedation dentist improperly administered sedatives to the decedent, and did so without a doctor trained in advanced life support present. During the procedure, the decedent, who had obstructive sleep apnea, began to exhibit alarmingly low blood oxygen levels and a low heart rate, indicating a blocked airway and respiratory distress. The dentist failed to recognize that the patient was unable to breathe. As a result of the dentist’s negligence, the decedent suffered respiratory depression which led to cardiac arrest and a permanent brain injury. He died seven days later after being taken off life support. Mr. Dudley and Ms. Schostok were able to obtain a wrongful death settlement against the north suburban dentist for $1.9 million.
Read the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Article
$1.8 Million Settlement for Neck and Back Injuries
Thomas Lake successfully prosecuted claims on behalf of a client that resulted injuries to the client’s neck and back. This all resulted from motor vehicle collisions. After a vigorous battle with the responsible parties as well as his client’s own insurance carrier, Mr. Lake was able to settle the matter $1.8 million.
$1.75 Million Settlement for Minor Abuse at a Chicagoland Church
Kevin Golden settled a case against a Chicagoland church where a volunteer sexually abused an eight-year-old boy with special needs at the church.
$1.7 Million Settlement for Man Hurt in Work Accident
Thomas Lake settled a cause for $1.7 million for a 50 year old man who was injured in a work accident in Cook County. The jury accepted Mr. Lake’s contention that his client, a 50 year old union glazier, was injured as a result of the negligent conduct of the defendant’s employee. Essentially, the defendant, by their employee, failed to secure and control a stack of glass weighing approximately 1,000 pounds. As a result of his injuries, Mr. Lake’s client was no longer able to return to work as a union glazier and suffered significant wage loss. The trial lasted approximately ten days.
$1.6 Million Settlement for Minor Sexual Assault Case
Kevin Golden recently settled a case for $1.6 million involving four minor female disabled plaintiffs who were attending high school and had been placed in a Special Education program. Between 2004 and 2005, the four plaintiffs were sexually assaulted by two male students at school. The Plaintiffs allege that the school failed to properly supervise and monitor the special education students. The school denied liability. One of the student offenders was criminally charged and is presently in the penitentiary.
$1.5 Million Settlement for Nursing Home/Medical Malpractice Suit
Kevin Golden settled a nursing home/medical malpractice case on behalf of a 61-year-old Bi-Polar woman who was living in a nursing home because of her mental health issues. The plaintiff had been previously diagnosed with diverticulitis and started making complaints to the nursing home staff about stomach pain. The plaintiff was transferred to a local hospital and again diagnosed with diverticulitis. The plaintiff returned to the nursing home and 10 days later began complaining of abdominal pain and informed the treating physician about the complaints. A few hours later, the nursing home staff had the plaintiff involuntarily admitted into a mental health unit. The plaintiff stayed in the mental health unit for approximately two days and continued to make complaints of abdominal pain. The complaints were ignored and the staff felt that the plaintiff had mental health issues and no physical issues. On the third day, the plaintiff suffered a perforated bowel and underwent emergency surgery. The plaintiff was diagnosed with sepsis and had several medical complications. The plaintiff died approximately one year later.
$1.5 Million Settlement for Back Injury Necessitated by Collision with Garbage Truck
Jacquelyn D. Melius settled a personal injury lawsuit for a 32 year old woman involved in a motor vehicle collision with a garbage truck. The garbage truck driver pulled out of a private driveway, into the woman’s lane of traffic, and collided with her vehicle. The injured woman suffered severe low back injuries, necessitating fusion surgery at L5-S1. The surgical recovery was complicated by the development of a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) that required placement of stents. The treating physicians opined that the young woman’s low back pain would likely be permanent.
$1.4 Million Settlement for City of Chicago Fuel Truck Driver Who Fell Off Truck
A fuel truck driver that had climbed to the top of his City of Chicago fuel truck and fell off the top has settled his lawsuit for 1.4 million dollars. The plaintiff had climbed to the top of the tanker truck and opened the hatch to the tank to check the fuel level. The air pressure from opening the hatch caused the plaintiff to lose his footing and he fell off the truck and landed on the cement floor. The plaintiff suffered an acetabular fracture that required surgery. The lawsuit was filed against two City of Chicago contractors who were required to maintain, repair and upkeep the fuel trucks. The contract required the fuel trucks to be in compliance with OSHA and the plaintiff alleged the contractors failed to instruct the City of Chicago to implement fall protection. The plaintiff was represented by Kevin Golden and Alex Campos.
$1.3 Million Settlement for Hospital Suicide
Thomas Lake successfully prosecuted and settled a negligence claim for the family of a young woman who committed suicide on the psychiatric floor of a suburban hospital. Mr. Lake proved that the hospital failed to follow their own procedures by failing to properly evaluate and provide periodic checks for the patient. The family agreed to a total settlement of $1.3 Million dollars.
$1.25 Million Settlement for Head on Automobile Collision
Attorneys Thomas Lake and Daniel Smart secured a $1,250,000 underinsured motorist settlement on behalf of a client who sustained permanent neck, low back, and foot injuries following a head on collision. The client’s injuries prevented him from returning to work as a boiler inspector. In addition to the underinsured motorist claim, Attorney Lake successfully resolved the client’s workers’ compensation claim. These settlements provide the client with full compensation for future medical treatment, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
$1.15 Million Settlement for Truck Driver Who Fell Off Semitruck Container
Kevin Golden settled the case in which a 53-year-old plaintiff was attempting to turn off the refrigerator unit for the container. The plaintiff was told that if he did not turn off his refrigerator unit that the container would not be unloaded. The plaintiff was trained to turn off the toggle switch on the refrigerator unit with a long pole or stick. On the day of the accident, the plaintiff did not have a pole or a stick and he attempted to climb to the top of the container. The plaintiff fell to the ground and suffered a left distal tibia and fibula open fracture.
$1 Million Settlement for Carbon Monoxide Death
Jacquelyn Melius settled a case for $1 million for the carbon monoxide death of a North Chicago resident. The woman was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor while she was caring for her grandchildren in the family’s rental home in Waukegan. The building had no detector for carbon monoxide. City inspectors determined that the furnace location and configuration allowed flue gases to re-circulate through ductwork into the home. Had the rental property been properly inspected prior to the family moving into the residence, the defects could have been repaired, and this tragedy would likely not have occurred. The lawsuit contends that the father of the children as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning suffered severe and debilitating injuries, leaving him with cognitive impairment. The children did not suffer any damage.
$1 Million Settlement for Boat Passenger Brain and Head Injuries
Thomas Lake represented a woman who sustained injuries as a result of a boating accident. She suffered brain and closed head injuries and was left with permanent cognitive impairment. As a result of these injuries, Mr. Lake secured a $1 million settlement on behalf of the client.
$1 Million Settlement for Personal Injury Suit
Thomas Lake recently resolved a personal injury claim for a 70 year old woman who was crossing the street, mid-block and was struck by a vehicle. Although the case had many challenges, particularly liability defenses, Mr. Lake was able to achieve a one million dollar settlement for his client.
$1 Million Settlement With a Western Illinois Medical Facility and ER Doctor
Kevin Golden reached a $1 million dollar settlement with a Western Illinois medical facility and the emergency room doctor who treated the deceased plaintiff. The plaintiff was a senior at Western Illinois University and went to the emergency room because she had taken an antibiotic and was experiencing itching and shortness of breath. The plaintiff had previously suffered from allergic reactions after taking antibiotics. The emergency room doctor diagnosed the plaintiff with anxiety and discharged her home. The plaintiff was found dead in her apartment three days later and the cause of death was anaphylaxis consistent with a drug-induced allergy.
$1 Million Medical Malpractice Case Against Downstate Hospital
Matthew Dudley & Daniel Smart settled a medical malpractice case against a downstate hospital for $1 million dollars on behalf of a 60-year-old man who died from a heart attack. The decedent’s physician failed to recognize and manage his risk for coronary artery disease. At multiple visits, the decedent presented with signs and symptoms consistent with an acute coronary syndrome. His physician failed to perform an EKG, refer him to a cardiologist and emergency room in a timely manner. As a result, the decedent’s cardiac condition went undiagnosed and untreated and he died from a heart attack. The decedent was survived by his wife and two adult sons.
$1 Million Settlement For Woman Sexually Assaulted By a Hospital Employee While She Was a Patient at the Hospital
Kevin Golden and Jesse Placher obtained a 1 million dollar settlement for a woman who was sexually assaulted by a hospital employee while she was a patient at the hospital. The plaintiff suffered extreme mental and emotions trauma and is pleased to get some closure and move on with her life.
$950,000 For Failure to Make a Timely Diagnosis and/or Referral
Marisa Schostok settled a case for $950,000 against an emergency department physician and local hospital for their failure to make a timely diagnosis and/or referral of the patient who was suffering from acute Cauda Equina Syndrome, a serious neurologic condition. The plaintiff, a 40-year-old woman, presented with progressive low back pain, pain that was radiating down her leg, persistent tingling in the leg, numbness in the saddle region and the inability to feel herself urinate, all of which were indicative of Cauda Equina Syndrome, causing potentially severe neurologic involvement. As a result of the untimely diagnosis, she went on to develop permanent nerve damage, resulting in three surgical procedures, the inability to control her bladder and permanent pain and disability.
$950,000 Settlement for Failure to Timely Diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome
Matthew Dudley has settled a case for $950,000 against a Southern Illinois primary care physician for his failure to make a timely referral of his patient who was suffering from acute Cauda Equina Syndrome, a serious neurologic condition. The plaintiff, a 50 year old in excellent health, injured her back while exercising and as a result, had progressive pain in her back and leg over the preceding three weeks. During that same time period, she saw her doctor numerous times and had complaints of numbness, tingling and indicated potentially severe neurologic involvement. As a result of the untimely referral, she went on to develop a complete inability to control her bladder and bowel.
$885,000 Settlement for Truck Driver Leg Injury
Thomas Lake represented a truck driver who was involved in a head-on collision resulting in injuries to his leg. As a result of the injuries, the truck driver missed significant time from work. Mr. Lake pursued an uninsured motorist claim against his client’s employer and their insurance carrier and secured a settlement of $885,000.
$875,000 Settlement for Man Involved in Auto Accident
Thomas M. Lake represented a laborer who was involved in a rear-end auto accident and suffered injuries to his back. He secured a total settlement of $875,000 for the injured man. Additionally, Mr. Lake was able to secure a partial waiver of the worker’s compensation lien as part of the settlement.
$850,000 Settlement For Former Nun Who Was Sexually Assaulted When She Joined the Convent
Kevin J Golden settled a case for $850,000 for a nun who was sexually assaulted twice by a superior nun when she joined the convent at the age of 18. The plaintiff went on to become a nun and practice for 11 years before leaving the convent.
$775,000 Record Settlement for Tazewell County Nursing Home
Matthew Dudley achieved a record settlement for Tazewell County against a national nursing home chain. The case settled for $775,000 for injuries to a resident who was recovering from an ankle fracture. While at the nursing home, she developed a massive bed sore that required multiple surgeries. The wound did not heal until she was transferred to a specialty care hospital where she underwent four surgeries including the removal of her tailbone. Before the ankle fracture she had been living independently in her own home.
“This case is just another example of nursing homes placing profit over patient safety. The nursing home chain makes tens of millions of dollars in annual profit yet is constantly understaffed and poorly run.” Dudley & Lake retained multiple experts in the field of wound care and elder care in order to achieve the record result. The settlement is the highest nursing home settlement in the history of Tazewell County.
$750,000 Settlement for Nursing Home Abuse
David Pribyl and Alex Campos represented a 32 year old female who was a resident of a nursing home specializing in mental illness treatment. As a result of abuse and neglect by the staff, the female was allowed to be raped, became pregnant, and gave birth to a baby boy. Settlement was made with the nursing home.
$750,000 Settlement For Man Sexually Abused By Episcopal Priest 33 Years Ago
Kevin Golden settled a case against the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago on behalf of a man who was sexual assaulted by an Episcopal priest 33 years ago when he was 9 years old. This Chicago Sun times published a four page article in the Sunday paper on June 3, 2022 detailing all of the facts that Kevin exposed about the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago protecting the priest who molested the plaintiff and several other boys. The priest was arrested a few years after molesting the plaintiff because a mother or another boy who was abused by the priest reported it to the police. The Diocese failed to notify the police about the abuse. The plaintiff had repressed his memory of the molestation until 2019. The defense disputed that he had repressed the memories. The plaintiff was in the army and had did three tours of duty in Iraq. He had been diagnosed with PTSD.
$750,000 Settlement for Diabetic: Below the Knee Amputation
Kevin J. Golden settled a case for $750,000 against two podiatrists and their medical group for neglecting an infected ulcer on the bottom of a diabetic patient’s foot. The doctors prescribed pain medication but failed to diagnose the patient with osteomyelitis and cellulitis upon examination. As a result, the plaintiff underwent a below the amputation.
$650,000 Settlement After Radiologist Fails to Properly Interpret CT Scan
Kevin Golden settled a case or $650,000 against a hospital and the radiologist who interpreted her CT Scan. The plaintiff went to the emergency room and made complaints of stomach pain and constipation. The plaintiff underwent a CT scan of her abdomen and scan revealed “free air” which is consistent with a perforated bowel. The radiologist failed to identify the “free air” and the plaintiff was discharged home. The plaintiff returned two days later with increased abdominal pain and was diagnosed with a perforated bowel. The plaintiff underwent emergency surgery and was hospitalized for 25 days. The plaintiff had a full recovery and is doing well.
$600,000 Resolution in Nursing Home Bed Sore Case
Daniel Smart successfully resolved a nursing home bed sore case against a downstate nursing home for $600,000. The 77-year-old male plaintiff presented to the nursing home and was assessed as at risk for skin breakdown. He required assistance from staff with bed mobility, bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers, and ambulating. During his residency at the defendant nursing home, the staff failed to turn and reposition him, resulting in a stage IV bedsore to his sacrum with exposed bone. The massive bedsore required surgical debridements.
$550,000 Large Pay Out for Loss of Eye
Tom Lake represented a young man who lost his eye as a result of being shot by a pellet gun. The case ultimately settled for $550,000.00.
$500,000 Settlement for Man Killed in Cop Car Crash
A wrongful death suit was settled for $500,000 to the family of a Wisconsin man against the Zion Police Department. The man was killed when a squad car collided with the van he was riding causing him to be ejected from the vehicle. The police officer sped through a red light at 57 mph in a 30 mph zone on his way to a domestic disturbance call.
$500,000 Settlement for Brachial Plexus Injury
Kevin J. Golden settled a case for $500,000 against Ingalls Memorial Hospital on behalf of a ten year old patient who had suffered a brachial plexus injury and six broken ribs at birth. The hospital alleged that the injuries occurred because of intrauterine malpositioning. Subsequently, the child underwent a successful surgery and recovery. The defendant doctor settled for his policy amount.
$475,000 Settlement in Dog Attack
Daniel Smart recovered a $475,000 settlement on behalf of a 61-year-old male who was bit by a dog while he conducted a land survey. The plaintiff was attacked by the dog in the driveway of the defendant’s home after the dog escaped from the house. He sustained multiple puncture and bite wounds to his calves and lower back. The attack also resulted in injuries to both of the plaintiff’s knees requiring arthroscopic surgeries.
$450,000 Settlement in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Case
Daniel Smart settled a nursing home abuse and neglect case for $450,000. Upon admission to the defendant’s facility, the staff failed to properly assess and manage the plaintiff’s fall risk and put in place the appropriate interventions. As a result, the 84-year-old female plaintiff fell twice. The second fall resulting in a hip fracture that required surgical repair. In addition, the nursing home failed to adequately supervise staff and provide the plaintiff with proper nutrition.
$450,000 Settlement for Wrongful Death of Veteran
Matthew Dudley and Dan Smart successfully resolved a wrongful death nursing home case in Peoria County for $450,000. The decedent died while recovering from a hip fracture he sustained at his home. While at the nursing home a blood test which showed a critically high white blood cell count was faxed to the nursing home but the result was never passed on the resident’s doctors. As a result, the resident became septic and died three days after the result and without receiving any medical treatment for sepsis or being transferred to a hospital.
The nursing home was also cited by the Illinois Department of Public Health for neglect.
“This a corporation with skilled care facilities throughout the Midwest which is highly profitable. Nonetheless, they have an inadequately trained staff and poor internal policies and procedures which allowed this medical error to happen. If the lab result was properly communicated, the infection would have been treated and the patient would be alive today. This was a needless and easily preventable death.” The decedent was a US Army veteran and is survived by his two adult daughters.
$430,000.00 Settlement For Woman Injured Ater Slip and Fall at Store
Marisa Schostok obtained a $430,000.00 settlement on behalf of a woman who fractured her knee after she slipped and fell on a slippery surface while shopping in a grocery store. Further details of the settlement are confidential.
$325,000.00 Settlement For Woman Injured After Falling Down Defective Stairs
Marisa Schostok obtained a settlement for $325,000.00 on behalf of a woman who fell down the front entry steps of the home she was renting, resulting in a fractured hip. The complaint alleged that the landlord failed to construct and maintain the front steps in a proper and safe manner, which caused the Plaintiff to trip and fall, resulting in her injury.
Confidential Settlement For Two Women Who Were Videotaped in a School Restroom in the Chicagoland Area
Kevin Golden obtained a settlement on behalf of two women who were videotaped separately while in a school restroom. The settlement amount is confidential. The lawsuit alleged that certain defendants were negligent in their hiring of the employee and that another defendant failed to perform a proper background screening of the employee.
Two 1983 Civil Rights Lawsuits Settled
Kevin Golden has settled two Civil Rights 1983 lawsuits, one in the Northern District of Illinois and the second in the Central District of Illinois. In the case in the Northern District, four Loves Park police officer demonstrated the use of excessive force after being involved in a confrontation with the deceased defendant. It was then concluded by a Winnebago County pathologist that the defendant died from “adverse effects of cocaine”. The plaintiff’s family hired an independent forensic pathologist and it was concluded that the plaintiff died from blunt force trauma and asphyxiation by compression of the neck. The case was settled the first day of trial.
In the second case, a 44 year old female plaintiff was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for an aggravated DUI then transferred to Dwight Correctional Center. The transfer sheet noted that the plaintiff expressed suicidal behavior while being incarcerated at the DuPage County Jail which had also discontinued the plaintiff’s psychotropic drug the day prior to her transfer. While imprisoned at Dwight, the plaintiff submitted several written requests to be started back on her psychotropic drugs but was ignored by prison guards and medical staff. The plaintiff committed later committed suicide. The case was settled after mediation.