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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Hospital Blamed for Quadruple Amputation

CHICAGO (CN) - A girl lost both her arms and legs after doctors at the University of Chicago Medical Center failed to recognize signs of sepsis and administer antibiotics, her mother claims in court.

Erica Norals, on behalf of her daughter Ashanti Norals, sued the University of Chicago Medical Center and Drs. Alison Tothy, Rose Baron, Deepak Reddy and Robert Bielski, in Cook County Court.

Ashanti Norals was admitted to the University of Chicago Medical Center on May 23, 2011, according to the complaint.

That afternoon, "a nurse at the University of Chicago Medical Center recorded that Ashanti Norals had a history of fevers off-and-on, was suffering from right leg pain, and was unable to bear any weight on the right leg," the complaint states.

"Despite this presentation, no antibiotics were given, no antibiotics were ordered and no aspiration of fluid on the right leg was obtained on Ashanti Norals from 1:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on May 23, 2011."

The mother claims doctors received Ashanti's lab results at 7:30 p.m., which showed she had an "elevated white blood cell count, abnormal C-reactive protein, and abnormal ESR [erythrocyte sedimentation rate]," a test that measures inflammation.

"Despite the additional results for the C Reactive Protein and the ESR level, no antibiotics were given and no antibiotics were ordered for Ashanti Norals from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on May 23, 2011," the complaint states.

Ashanti received antibiotics at 2:30 a.m. the next day, "twenty-four hours after Ashanti Norals presented to the emergency department," her mother says.

She claims the defendants "failed to recognize Ashanti Norals' laboratory results and vital signs were consistent with sepsis; failed to provide aggressive resuscitation efforts to Ashanti Norals; [and] failed to order broad spectrum antibiotic coverage within two hours of admission to the emergency room," and failed to admit her to a pediatric intensive care unit.

"As a proximate result of one or more of the negligent acts and/or omissions, Ashanti Norals developed septic shock resulting in personal injuries including amputation of four limbs," the complaint states.

Norals seeks damages for medical negligence, and family expenses.

She is represented by Kevin Burke with Burke, Wise, Morrissey & Kaveny.

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