A Cook County jury has awarded a $45.3 million verdict to a 33-year-old U.S. Army veteran who suffered irreparable brain damage when he was incorrectly intubated in a hospital emergency room. The victim, Steven Butts, was represented by John Kralovec and Joseph Conboy of Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz, who utilized Evidence Video to create a Day In The Life Video, which was shown to the jury at trial to help visualize the damages.
On July 20, 2019, Butts fell about 10 feet off of a friend’s balcony in Chicago and suffered injuries to his face and mouth. His mother drove him to Advocate Trinity Hospital of Chicago, where a doctor evaluated him and attempted to secure his airway. According to the complaint, the doctor incorrectly inserted the breathing tube into his esophagus instead of his windpipe. Butts went without oxygen for 11 minutes. He suffered cardiac arrest.
Butts is today fully disabled, requiring 24/7 care. He is unable to speak, incontinent and without any normal capabilities. He lives in an Orland Park, Ill., care center.
The $45.3 million is for medical malpractice, pain and suffering, loss of a normal life, and for the lifetime medical care that Butts will need.
The Cook County jury returned its verdict and damages recommendation on July 25, following an eight-day trial. The jury deliberated for less than half a day. Circuit Court Judge Robert E. Senechalle, Jr. presided.
Butts was a U.S. Army combat medic who served in Iraq. He returned to the United States suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Evidence Video has extensive experience with brain damage cases due to failed intubations and other causes, and knows how to create a Day In The Life Video that will capture all the important details of your case. Contact us for more information.