Verdict:$4,200,000 

The plaintiff, age 41, who was an elementary school teacher saw an internist for a sudden headache and dizziness which she had experienced that day while shoveling snow. The defendant internist assumed that she had the flu and sent her home on bed rest and fluids. Five days later, the plaintiff began to slur her speech and drop things that she held in her right hand.

She was admitted to the hospital and found to have a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, which had likely burst while shoveling snow. After surgery, she experienced a vasospasm from the delay in treatment causing a stroke. The plaintiff has partial right-sided paralysis and inability to speak.

This case represents the largest Illinois settlement for the delay in diagnosis of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. The parties agreed to a nondisclosure of the identities of the defendants as a term of the settlement.

Sea v. Undisclosed Medical Clinic and Physician