Resurrection Medical Center Malpractice & Violations

Both state and federal governments provide information about hospital performance for patients and their families, helping them make informed decisions about their care. A history of poor health outcomes can be a warning sign of medical negligence or malpractice, which could result in patients’ injuries or deaths.

Those injured at Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, IL, or other medical facilities can seek compensation from physicians, nurses, and hospitals for their negligence. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will assist you in holding the facility accountable for failing to provide quality care.

About Resurrection Medical Center

Review how this Level 1 trauma center in Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood measures up against healthcare standards, from emergency care performance to patient safety records.

Overview

Resurrection Medical Center is a 305-bed facility at 7435 W Talcott Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631. The hospital provides general medicine and specialty services, including oncology, labor and delivery, primary stroke care and recovery, cardiac rehabilitation, and mental health treatment.

This hospital provides minimally invasive surgical interventions, including robot-assisted technology. It also has an inpatient rehabilitation center to assist stroke and heart attack survivors in regaining their strength.

Additionally, the hospital has 17 different telehealth systems to assist those unable to visit in person. This includes family health, psychiatric, and post-stroke care.

Ownership and Affiliations

The hospital’s legal name is Amita Health Resurrection Medical Center. It is owned by Ascension, which owns 136 hospitals in 18 states and the District of Columbia.

Ascension is one of the leading Catholic non-profit hospital systems in the United States, with 37,000 affiliate providers and 131,000 employees. However, due to a budget deficit, Ascension has had to sell several hospitals.

Reputation and Performance

Resurrection Medical Center has a 4-star rating with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which is above average but only has a 3-star patient survey rating [1]. US News and World Report gave this facility a high-performing rating in heart failure for 2024 [2].

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade gave Resurrection an A in Spring 2024, its highest rating. This rating is based on clinical and patient care measures, such as infection rates and post-surgical complications [3].

According to the Illinois Hospital Report Card, 63% of patients would recommend it, 3% lower than the state average [4].

Notable Legal Actions Against Resurrection Medical Center

The following cases represent significant medical malpractice claims that highlight alleged patient safety concerns at this healthcare center.

Failure to Prevent Pulmonary Embolism Resulting in Death

Shenetra Watkins was at Amita Health Resurrection Medical Center, then known as Presence Resurrection, in 2017 after suffering a stroke. During her hospital stay, doctors failed to monitor her for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, both of which are major concerns after a stroke.

Watkins died, and her mother, Mary Mosley, sued the hospital for negligence in 2019, alleging that the physicians did not adequately monitor her condition or provide appropriate care [5].

Sexual Assault During a Gynecological Exam

Veronica Hasbun suffered abdominal pain in 2009 and went to the Resurrection Health Care Center for treatment. While there, the provider, Dr. Tong, began an exam without a chaperone present and digitally penetrated her.

Dr. Tong also made inappropriate comments about her physical attractiveness and hygiene. When he completed the exam, he stroked her thighs and hair before leaning in close to her face [6]. Hasbun filed a doctor sexual abuse lawsuit in 2009, settling the case in 2015.

Negligent Birth Control Prescription Leading to Paralysis

In 2007, 37-year-old Mariola Zapalski was prescribed Yasmin, a common birth control, by doctor Zbigniew Aniol. This drug can cause problems for those who have certain conditions, including smokers and women above age 35, as it increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke [7].

Zapalski informed Dr. Aniol that she had cholesterol and was a habitual smoker. These important details should have made Dr. Aniol choose a different medication, but he gave it to her anyway.

Only 13 days after she took the first dose, Zapalski suffered a massive stroke that left her partially paralyzed. She filed a case with Chicago medication error lawyers, and in 2014, she was awarded $14 million by a Cook County jury [8].

Inspection and Deficiency Reports at Resurrection Medical Center

At this hospital, people spend an average of 230 minutes in the emergency room before discharge, higher than the 192 state average and 170 national average [9].

A high percentage of women delivered their babies early when it was not medically necessary compared to the national and state average. Approximately 6% of patients were induced or had C-section procedures more than 1-2 weeks before their due date, higher than the 2% state and national rate [10].

In surveys, respondents also complained about the quietness and cleanliness of the facility. Only 66% of respondents said their room and bathroom were clean all the time, compared to the 72% Illinois average and 73% national average [11].

Just 56% of respondents said the areas around their room were always quiet at night, lower than the 63% national average and 62% Illinois average.

While this facility received an A from the Hospital Safety Grade, its Clostridioides difficile rate was 0.759, higher than the average-performing hospital’s 0.455 rate [3].

C. difficile is a bacteria that infects the colon and is challenging to treat. It can cause severe complications like colon damage depending on the person’s immune system response and how quickly they receive help. It’s most commonly found in people over 65 who use antibiotics, which kill the good bacteria in their colon and lead to C. difficile overgrowth [12].

High C. difficile rates are a sign of poor infection control and put patients at serious risk.

Understanding Medical Negligence and Your Rights

Medical Negligence occurs when hospital staff do not adhere to best healthcare practices, potentially harming or killing patients.

Common types of medical negligence include:

• Medication Errors – Before writing, filling, or dispensing a prescription, medical professionals must double-check that the medication provided is in the correct dosage and won’t interfere with the patient’s other treatments. Errors can include overdosing or underdosing a patient, providing the wrong drug, or giving a drug that is contraindicated for their condition.
• Failing to Diagnose – Doctors may overlook vital symptoms or fail to order the proper diagnostic tests, which can cost valuable time when treating a condition. This negligence may lead to worsening symptoms, disease progression, or even death.
• Surgical Errors – Operating on the wrong body part, nicking an organ, cutting a blood vessel, or accidentally leaving tools inside a patient are common surgical errors that lead to significant complications.
• Improper Care – Hospital staff should always ensure that patients understand their condition and are prepared to care for themselves after discharge. Failing to explain aftercare instructions or ignoring a patient’s concerns is a sign of improper care, which can also include harassment or even assault.

Those harmed by medical negligence have the right to consult a medical malpractice lawyer who will help negotiate with the healthcare provider for fair compensation.

As personal injury lawyers, our team will thoroughly investigate your concerns and speak to third parties on your behalf. If negotiations are unsuccessful, we may also take your case to court, allowing a judge and jury to decide on a proper settlement.

Secure Expert Legal Representation!

The Chicago, IL, medical malpractice statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury, meaning medical negligence victims must act quickly. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to assist you, offering our legal services on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement means you owe us nothing unless we can successfully secure compensation.

To schedule your free consultation with an experienced medical negligence attorney, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online consultation form.

References: [1] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, [2] US News and World Report, [3] Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, [4] Illinois Hospital Report Card, [5] Cook County Register, [6] CaseText, [7] Drugs.com, [8] CBS News, [9] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, [10] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, [11] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, [12] Mayo Clinic

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.