Cook County Board to Vote on $20M Settlement

Cook County, Ill., commissioners vote this week on a proposed $20 million settlement in a medical malpractice suit against a Chicago hospital brought by the family of a boy who suffered brain damage while receiving care.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Cook County Attorney Anita Alvarez’s office is recommending the settlement.

Stroger Hospital won’t admit liability under the terms of the agreement.

Justine Francique is the mother of the three-year-old and filed the lawsuit last year. According to the lawsuit the boy went into cardiac arrest while recovering from outpatient surgery, but medical staff didn’t begin CPR until several minutes later.

Court documents say the child suffered severe and permanent injures due to the heart attack and lack of oxygen. He’ll need ongoing treatment.

Commissioners are set to vote on Tuesday.