Illinois Hospital and Surgeon Sued Over Wrongful Death of Hernia Patient

Chicago, IL (Law Firm Newswire) October 2, 2018 – The family of a 70-year-old woman filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a hospital and surgeon in New Lenox, Illinois. They were accused of being negligent in the patient’s care.

Carol Stavola had sought treatment for a hernia at Silver Cross Hospital and Medical Centers in June 2016. She died on July 9, 2016, just under two weeks after undergoing surgery. Stavola’s daughter, Karen Faciana, brought the wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital and Dr. Laura Ragauskaite on behalf of her mother’s estate. She alleged that they failed to diagnose sepsis after the hernia surgery and prescribed incorrect medication.

“Medical errors are one of the country’s leading causes of death,” said Robert Briskman, a wrongful death attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, who is not involved in the case. “No amount of money can make up for the death of a loved one. However, families have the right to pursue compensation through the legal system to seek the financial support they need when an individual dies due to the carelessness of a medical professional.”

Stavola first sought treatment from Dr. Ragauskaite on June 20, 2016. She underwent surgery after being diagnosed with an incarcerated ventral hernia. The next day, Dr. Rashmi Bisla is alleged to have directed medical staff not to administer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or neprotoxic medications to Stavola.

According to the lawsuit, two days later Ragauskaite ordered that the patient be given Toradola. Toradola is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication used to treat moderate pain and inflammation that typically occurs after surgery. Stavola subsequently had to undergo an exploratory laparotomy during which the surgeon found infected mesh and had to perform “a resection of the small bowel.” According to the complaint, Stavola died from “multi-organ failure and sepsis.”

Stavola is survived by three daughters and two sons. The lawsuit alleged that the “forgoing careless and negligent acts or omissions on the part of the hospital and Ragauskaite” caused her death.