University of Chicago Medical Center Malpractice & Violations

People with significant medical concerns go to a hospital like the best hospitals under UChicago Medicine. Hospitals under the Chicago Medicine umbrella, such as the University of Chicago Center, are expected to uphold a certain patient care standard, prioritize quality services, and adhere to healthcare regulations. Unfortunately, hospitals often fall short of these expectations.

Violations and deficiencies are common in the medical field. The best hospitals handle many patients daily and may become negligent, such as giving a patient the wrong medicine. Medical negligence is rampant in the hospital industry. UChicago Medicine centers that fail to meet expectations could cause patients to face injuries, worsening conditions, or death.

State and federal laws grant certain rights to hospital patients. One of these rights is the ability to hold negligent parties accountable when their behavior results in the patient suffering harm. As one of the preeminent hospital systems in Chicago and Illinois, UChicago Medicine can be held responsible when negligent behaviors harm patients.

If you seek compensation for legal damages from this hospital chain, a Chicago medical negligence attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can guide you through the claims process.

About the University of Chicago Medicine

Overview

The University of Chicago Medical Center is one of the largest hospitals in the city and state. The facility remains well-known for its Biological Sciences Division.

It has 811 licensed beds and specializes in cancer care, cardiovascular care, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, neurology, and obstetrics. It is also a general medical and surgical facility with pediatric services. The main campus is at 5841 South Maryland, Chicago, IL, 60637.

Ownership and Affiliations

UChicago Medicine operates the University of Chicago Medical Center. It is a nationally ranked community healthcare network that manages clinics focused on patient care, academic medical institution research, and scientific discovery under the University of Chicago’s umbrella.

UChicago Medicine oversees numerous other branches, including the Biological Sciences Division, UChicago Medicine AdventHealth hospitals, and the Pritzker School of Medicine.

UChicago Medicine combines the Biological Sciences Division, Pritzker School, Medical Center, Community Health and Hospital Division, and UChicago Physicians to ensure everything is available.

Researchers at the Biological Sciences Division are at the forefront of research. Physicians may be faculty members of the Biological Sciences Division, while student researchers at the Biological Sciences Division may complete fieldwork requirements at the Medical Center.

The biological sciences division is also home to the Pritzker School of Medicine, the unit of the biological sciences division that grants doctors their MDs.

Pritzker School of Medicine is one of the few schools on the university campus, ensuring students have easy access to laboratories at the biological sciences division, collaborative opportunities with other doctors, and the ability to complete their medical curriculum on campus.

UChicago Medicine manages nine hospitals, including community-based clinics for patient care, family centers for primary care medicine and children, and the University of Chicago Medicine. These are spread throughout Chicago, including on Chicago’s south end.

Reputation and Performance

The University of Chicago Medicine has a respectable reputation throughout the community and nation. The University of Chicago Medical Center ranks nationally in ten adult and four child specialties.

This hospital is ranked third in the state of Illinois and Chicago. UChicago Medicine is also considered high-performing in one adult specialty, with sixteen procedures and conditions [1].

The community hospital is assessed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. CMS has awarded the hospital an overall rating of three out of five stars. Additionally, past patients at UChicago Medicine have given it an average of three stars for patient satisfaction [2].

Notable Legal Actions Against UChicago Medicine

Staff members at the University of Chicago Medical Center and the greater UChicago Medicine network have not always maintained professional standards while serving patients. Many in the community have fallen victim to hospital negligence or malpractice.

Lawsuits against this healthcare organization are part of its past and negatively affect the hospital’s otherwise positive reputation. Here are some past lawsuits that have been brought against the University of Chicago Medical Center and its parent company.

Settlement For Death From Birth Injuries

In 2016, a boy was born to Omatola Oyedapo. The lawsuit alleged that the hospital’s emergency department delayed the birth, which led to neurological symptoms for the baby when he was born.

Four years later, the child died because of health complications from his birth injury. Chicago negligent death lawyers helped the parents of the boy receive $14 million in legal damages for their lawsuit against the University of Chicago Medical Center [3].

Death From Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Complications

Ruth Colby went to the University of Chicago Medical Center for a minimally invasive robotic heart valve surgery in 2023.

The doctor attempted to repair the valve rather than follow suggestions that it be replaced, leading to health complications that caused heart failure. Ruth’s family is currently pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the University of Chicago Medicine [4].

Routine Heart Test Causes Punctured Artery and Eventual Death

Sarah Crayton went to the University of Chicago Medical Center for a routine heart test. The lawsuit alleges the cardiologist ordered an unnecessary test that caused the patient’s punctured artery. After treatment was administered, the patient received injections and was sent home but died shortly after from internal bleeding.

The family alleged the hospital staff and physicians failed to repair the punctured artery immediately. UChicago Medicine was forced to pay Sarah’s family $2.6 million in the settlement [5].

Delayed C-Section Causes Lifelong Birth Complications

In 2004, Lisa Ewing was 40 weeks pregnant and went to UChicago Medicine when she felt a lack of movement from her baby. She was not seen for hours as she waited in the Chicago hospital, and the staff did not perform the emergency C-section promptly.

Her child experienced numerous birth injuries and has dealt with cerebral palsy and other health complications because of these delays. Following a lawsuit with the help of Chicago cerebral palsy attorneys, a judge ordered the University of Chicago Medicine to pay the Ewing family $52 million for legal damages because of the child’s preventable birth injuries [6].

Inspection and Deficiency Reports at the University of Chicago Medical Center

In its history, the University of Chicago Medicine has struggled with more than patient care lawsuits. This hospital has also been cited for violations and deficiencies after state or federal inspections.

Multiple entities regularly inspect the best hospitals to ensure they provide professional standards of patient care, such as cleanliness and giving patients the correct medicine. Uchicago Medicine has often fallen short of this standard. Here are some past deficiencies discovered at the University of Chicago Medicine.

• Only 62% of patients felt their bathrooms and private rooms at the hospital were kept clean, compared to 71% statewide and 73% nationally.
• 60% of hospital patients felt they received help when requested, compared to 63% statewide and 66% nationally.
• A higher rate of hospital inpatient mortality from congestive heart failure than the national average [7].
• 46% of hospital patients received sufficient sepsis health care compared to 61% nationally.
• 12% of hospital patients left the emergency department before being seen by physicians, compared to 3% nationally.
• Patients spent a median time of 288 minutes in the hospital emergency department before leaving compared to 196 minutes nationally.
• 15.7% of hospital patients were readmitted after discharge compared to 14.6% nationally [2].

Understanding Medical Negligence and Your Rights

The number of lawsuits and deficiency reports demonstrates UChicago Medicine’s challenges when providing quality patient health care. Medical negligence is a significant concern because it puts patients at risk of injury, illness, or death.

Hospital negligence occurs when medical professionals do not maintain a patient’s expected level of care, such as giving them the correct medicine.

Negligence at UChicago Medicine can manifest in several ways. A surgeon could make an error while performing a procedure. A nurse may administer the wrong medicine to a patient. A doctor could fail to diagnose a patient’s condition correctly, resulting in improper treatment.

Nurses could neglect to monitor a recovering patient sufficiently to watch for complications or vital sign issues. These examples of negligence could lead to significant harm to patients.

If you or a loved one have experienced medical malpractice at UChicago Medicine hospitals, consider legal action against the at-fault party. You may suffer legal damages because of the incident, including lost income, medical bills, emotional distress, pain and suffering, or loss of quality of life.

You need medical malpractice attorneys to investigate the case, collect evidence, negotiate for fair compensation, and represent you in a trial.

Secure Expert Legal Representation!

If you are considering a lawsuit against UChicago Medicine or the University of Chicago Medicine for legal damages, you need the right experts.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is ready to guide you through the legal process and increase your chances of success against the university. We know what it takes to win a medical malpractice claim against a large hospital, so we can level the playing field and protect your interests.

It is essential to move quickly if you have suffered due to negligence at a UChicago Medicine practice. If you delay, you could risk the case being dismissed because of the statute of limitations on medical negligence claims in Illinois.

Additionally, waiting to pursue legal action could make it more challenging to gather compelling evidence that supports your claim. When you suspect the hospital of negligence or malpractice, contact our team to determine the best path forward.

One of the benefits of working with us is our contingency fee agreement.

Instead of you paying legal fees upfront when you are already dealing with the fallout from the incident, our team only gets paid from the settlement if we win your case. This reduces the upfront costs so you can focus on recovery during your lawsuit rather than fall into a deeper financial hole.

We also offer a free consultation so you can ask questions about your case first. Whether you have questions about your legal decision, evidence needs, or insurance involvement, we are happy to provide answers.

Call us today at 888-424-5757 or complete the online form to request a free consultation with a Chicago-based personal injury attorney.

Resources: [1] US News – University of Chicago Medical Center, [2] CMS – University of Chicago Medical Center, [3] Chicago Sun-Times – UChicago Medicine Pays $14 Million, [4] ABC7 Chicago – Family Suing U of C Hospital, [5] BB&G – University of Chicago Pays $2.6 Million, [6] Medical Practice Help – U of C Medical Center Pays $52 Million, [7] Healthcare Report Card – UChicago Medicine

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.