Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Doe, 52, was taken to a hospital ER, where laboratory testing revealed that she had severe hyponatremia and a serum sodium level of 105 mEq/L. Doe was administered an IV solution with a high concentration of sodium, which raised her serum sodium level 15 mEq/Ls in approximately 24 hours. Within 48 hours of her admission, Doe suffered permanent brain damage.

Doe sued the hospital, a physician, and a physician group, alleging the defendants had raised her sodium level too quickly, resulting in brain damage. The plaintiff asserted that the defendants should not have raised her sodium level more than 8 mEq/L within a 24-hour period.

The parties settled for $4.25 million. The hospital paid $2.75 million, and the physician and group paid the rest.

Citation: Doe v. Roes, Confidential Dkt. No. (Confidential Jxn. & Ct. May 22, 2023).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Susan A. Capra and Keith A. Hebeisen, both of Chicago.