Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Idalia Corcoles, 39, underwent laser liposuction of her back, abdomen, and flanks, which was performed by plastic surgeon Ayoub Sayeg at 63rd Medical & Surgical Center. Approximately four to five hours later, Corcoles was rushed from the recovery room to a hospital, where a code blue was activated. Testing revealed extensive blood in her abdomen, necessitating massive blood transfusions and surgery. Despite these measures, Corcoles died the next day. She is survived by her husband and four children, ages 10 to 22.

Corcoles’s estate sued Sayeg, the surgical center, and others, alleging failure to perform an adequate medical history, recognize and treat hypotension and bleeding, and timely transfer Corcoles to a hospital. The plaintiff asserted that Sayeg had failed to see Corcoles postoperatively while she was bleeding internally for several hours, which led to her cardiac arrest. Moreover, the plaintiff claimed that the surgical center’s staff had ignored obvious signs that Corcoles was dying.

The jury awarded $56 million, plus interest, which brought the award to over $66.26 million.

Citation: Cervantes v. Sayeg, No. 2021L002945 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Cook Cnty. Dec. 20, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Bradley M. Cosgrove and Craig J. Squillace, both of Chicago.