$15 Million settlement for toddler who suffered stroke, permanent brain injury after delayed diagnosis of infection

CHICAGO (June 4, 2024) – Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard recently obtained a $15 million settlement on behalf of a young boy who suffered a stroke, leading to a permanent brain injury as a result of a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of a subdural infection and abscess.

On November 26, 2018, 3-year-old K.G.’s mother took him to Lawndale Christian Health Center, a federally funded clinic, with complaints of 4-5 days of fever and increased fussiness. Two days prior to the visit, K.G. was discharged from the ER with a viral infection. During the November 26 visit, a physician’s assistant noted K.G. had slight swelling of the right upper eyelid and that he was only able to partially open the eye. K.G.’s vital signs were taken, which showed slightly abnormal pulse rate and blood pressure. The physician’s assistant diagnosed K.G. with periorbital cellulitis, with a history of fever consistent with a viral infection. She prescribed an antibiotic and told his mom to bring him to the ER if his eye became swollen shut or did not improve in 1-2 days.

Two days later, on November 28, K.G.’s mom found him unresponsive at their home. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with septic shock, subdural abscess, subdural and epidural empyema, and sinusitis, requiring emergent, life-saving neurosurgery.

Plaintiffs alleged that the physician assistant should have consulted with a pediatrician and sent the child to the ER for a CT scan to work up a potential intracranial process.

As a result of the clinic’s failure to provide reasonable and appropriate medical care, there was a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of a subdural infection and abscess. This delayed diagnosis caused K.G. to suffer a stroke, leading to a catastrophic brain injury that has left him with cognitive delays.

“If the PA had complied with the standard of care and sent K.G. to the ER, the infection would have been timely diagnosed and treated and he would not have suffered stroke and subsequent developmental delays,” Plaintiff’s attorney Matthew L. Williams said.

The Plaintiff was also represented by Heidi L. Wickstrom of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C.