Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Doe, 24, underwent a cesarean section to deliver her twins. After the delivery, the on-call obstetrician, Mohannad Rajjoub, attempted to remove the placenta. Doe, who suffered from placenta accreta, suffered massive hemorrhaging, necessitating a blood transfusion, which was performed approximately 30 minutes later. Despite this treatment, Doe suffered hypoxic brain damage. She now has the intellectual capacity of a 3-year-old and requires 24-hour care.

Doe, through a representative, sued the hospital and its operator, alleging negligent credentialing and improper policies regarding maternal hemorrhage. The plaintiff also asserted that Doe did not receive proper resuscitative care by the anesthesiologist and that there was no blood available in the operating room, resulting in a delayed blood transfusion.

The defense argued that the obstetrician and treating anesthesiologist were not their agents but that they had acted within the standard of care.

The jury awarded more than $14.75 million.

Citation: CIBC Nat’l Trust Co. v. Presence Hosp. PRV, No. 15L19 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Vermilion Cty. Nov. 12, 2021).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Donald J. Nolan, AAJ member Thomas P. Routh, and Timothy I. McArdle, all of Chicago.