A Cook County jury has awarded $7.25 million to a 32-year-old Chicago woman who underwent a hysterectomy following complications during a cesarean section and a delayed response to postpartum hemorrhage. This verdict is the largest in Cook County for a hysterectomy-related malpractice case, surpassing the previous $5 million award secured by Clifford Law Offices in 2009 for a similar case involving a 31-year-old woman. ([cliffordlaw.com](https://www.cliffordlaw.com/clifford-law-obtains-record-7-25-million-verdict-for-a-hysterectomy-case-in-cook-county-following-two-week-trial/?utm_source=openai))
The plaintiff, Haylie Carlson, and her husband, Philip Griffin, residents of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, filed the lawsuit after Carlson experienced severe complications during an unplanned cesarean section at the University of Illinois Hospital. During the procedure, a resident physician and her supervising fellow injured Carlson’s uterus by damaging uterine vessels. This injury went unrecognized and unrepaired, partly due to a shift change during the surgery. ([cliffordlaw.com](https://www.cliffordlaw.com/clifford-law-obtains-record-7-25-million-verdict-for-a-hysterectomy-case-in-cook-county-following-two-week-trial/?utm_source=openai))
Post-surgery, Carlson exhibited signs of postpartum hemorrhage that met the hospital’s criteria for a Red Alert. However, her bedside nurse failed to alert an attending obstetrician, resulting in a delay in treatment and transfusion. Consequently, Carlson suffered a massive hemorrhage necessitating a hysterectomy, along with the removal of her ovaries and cervix to stop the bleeding. She also underwent ureteral reimplantation and bladder repair. These injuries have had a profound and lasting impact on her life. ([cliffordlaw.com](https://www.cliffordlaw.com/clifford-law-obtains-record-7-25-million-verdict-for-a-hysterectomy-case-in-cook-county-following-two-week-trial/?utm_source=openai))
The jury’s award included $6.75 million for Carlson, covering pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of a normal life. Additionally, her husband was awarded $500,000 for loss of society and companionship. ([cliffordlaw.com](https://www.cliffordlaw.com/clifford-law-obtains-record-7-25-million-verdict-for-a-hysterectomy-case-in-cook-county-following-two-week-trial/?utm_source=openai))
Sarah F. King, a partner at Clifford Law Offices who led the legal team, emphasized the complexity of the case and the jury’s attentiveness to the facts. She highlighted the tragedy of a young woman losing her ability to have children due to medical professionals’ failure to follow established guidelines for recognizing postpartum hemorrhage. ([cliffordlaw.com](https://www.cliffordlaw.com/clifford-law-obtains-record-7-25-million-verdict-for-a-hysterectomy-case-in-cook-county-following-two-week-trial/?utm_source=openai))
This verdict underscores the critical importance of adhering to established medical protocols and the potential consequences of deviations. It also reflects a broader trend of substantial awards in medical malpractice cases in Cook County. For instance, in December 2024, a jury awarded $66 million to the family of Idalia Corcoles, a Chicago woman who died from complications following a liposuction procedure. ([chicago.suntimes.com](https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2024/12/21/idalia-corcoles-ayoub-sayeg-plastic-surgery-lawsuit-verdict?utm_source=openai))
These cases highlight the judiciary’s role in holding medical professionals accountable and the significant financial implications of medical negligence. They also serve as a reminder of the importance of patient safety and the adherence to medical standards to prevent such tragic outcomes.