Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Charlene Hammonds, 48, underwent a hysterectomy at Northwest Community Hospital. Sixteen hours later, she was returned to surgery, where it was discovered that she was bleeding from the surgical site and had a hole in her bladder. Urologist Phuong Huynh repaired the bladder.

For approximately 18 months, Hammonds suffered from a debilitating fistula that formed after the repair surgery. She eventually underwent a pelvic floor reconstruction.

Hammonds sued the hospital, alleging liability for the urologist’s negligence. The plaintiff asserted that the urologist failed to move the bladder away from the vaginal cuff and completely close her injury during the repair surgery. Suit did not claim lost income.

The jury awarded approximately $596,100. The parties later settled for the verdict amount.

Citation: Hammonds v. Northwest Cmty. Hosp., No. 2017-L-010340 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Cook Cnty. Feb. 1, 2023).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member David J. Rashid, Chicago.