CASE REPORT
(TTT 26/2) MEDICAL MALPRACTICE--SICKLE CELL PATIENT SUFFERS BRAIN HEMORRHAGE (12H)
Joshalynn Jones-Norman, disabled v Dr. Jinsuh Kim 20L-9504 Tried Apr. 26- May 9, 2024
VERDICT: Not Guilty
JUDGE: Melissa Ann Durkin (IL Cook-Law)
Richard J. Hickey Richard has devoted his career to under- standing clients—not only their profes- sional challenges, but their personal anxi - eties as well. His genuine care has defined his practice for decades. Richard began his career at Wildman, Har - rold, Allen & Dixon, where he became an equity partner and then Chairman of the Trial Practice Group. In 1995, he left to form a boutique firm, Hickey, Melia & As - sociates. In 2018, Richard formed Hickey & Associates, continuing to try significant cases before the bench and jury.
PLTF ATTY(S): William A. Cirignani of Cirignani, Heller & Harman (Chicago, IL), D. Brett Turnbull, Alan Holcomb, Kyle R. Jackson, Sr. of Turnbull, Holcomb & LeMoine (Atlanta, GA) DEMAND : $25,000,000 ASKED : $75,000,000 + DEFT ATTY(S): Richard J. Hickey, Claire E. McNally of Hickey & Associates (Chi- cago, IL) (University of Illinois; Self-Insured) OFFER : $8,500,000
PLTF MEDL: Dr. Santosh Saraf (Hematologist), Dr. Gursant Atwal (Neurosurgeon)
PLTF EXPERT(S): Dr. Kevin Berger of Chesapeake Medical Imaging, Annapolis, MD (855-455-8900) (Radiologist); Dr. Alexander E. Merkler (Neurologist); Dr. Jared Knopman of Weill-Cornell Medicine, 1305 York Ave., New York, NY (212-746-5149) (Neurosurgeon); Dr. Richard Bowman (Rehab/Physical Medicine) DEFT EXPERT(S): Dr. Joel Meyer (Neuroradiologist); Dr. Andrew S. Zelby (Neuro- surgeon); Dr. Kara Flavin (Rehab/Physical Medicine)
Pltf F-27 was referred to University of Illinois Medical Center for treatment of her very severe form of sickle cell disease, where she was screened for UIC’s Stem Cell Transplant Program to potentially cure her disease. The screening process included numerous blood tests, CT scans, and an MRI/MRA of the brain, with a specific request to check for Moyamoya disease (ob- structed brain arteries and opening of collateral blood vessels). In May 2018, a neuroradiologist interpreted the MRI/ MRA images as showing no Moyamoya disease or any other abnormalities. Pltf was admitted to UIC on September 18, 2018, and the stem cell transplant was performed on September 29. Eleven days later (October 10), pltf was found in the bathroom unconscious and seiz- ing. A CT scan revealed a significant subarachnoid hemorrhage, and pltf was placed on a ventilator. Later that night, a neurosurgeon (Dr. Atwal) performed a cerebral catheter angiogram and found
seven aneurysms, four of which were less than one millimeter, with a 4-mm pseudoaneurysm suspected as the site of the bleed. Dr. Atwal performed emergency brain surgery the next day and clipped the pseudoaneurysm, along with a nearby aneurysm. Pltf required more brain surgeries, was transferred to RML Specialty Hospital in November, and was weaned off the ventilator be- fore being discharged home in February 2019. Pltf, mother of three children, re- mains in a permanent vegetative state with catastrophic brain damage and total paralysis, can only move her eyes and make facial expressions, cannot speak or respond to commands, is fed through a gastrostomy tube, has blad- der and bowel incontinence, currently has a tracheostomy, and requires 24- hour care ($25,419,370 future life care plan). Pltf’s family claimed she has in- termittent consciousness and therefore suffers “locked-in syndrome.” A Day-in- the-Life video was played for the jury.
JURY VERDICT REPORTER • 2025 ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYER EXCELLENCE AWARDS 81
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