A Cook County jury has awarded $20.5 million to the family of an 11-year-old girl who died from high levels of morphine. This verdict comes after the family claimed that medical professionals failed to provide the necessary care that could have prevented her death.
Ava Wilson was undergoing treatment for leukemia when she visited Advocate Children’s Hospital for a follow-up in October 2020. During this visit, she experienced significant pain and difficulty walking. Tests conducted at the hospital indicated several alarming health issues, including low platelet counts and high liver enzymes.
Despite these concerns, Ava was discharged with new medication instructions that included an increased morphine dose. Her family’s attorneys argued that she should have been admitted for further treatment instead of being sent home with heavy pain medication. Tragically, less than 36 hours after returning home, Ava died in her sleep due to acute drug toxicity, specifically from lethal morphine levels along with other substances.
The family’s legal representatives contended that the hospital’s decision to release Ava instead of providing necessary medical intervention contributed directly to her passing. Attorney Matthew Williams emphasized the apparent distress Ava experienced, stating, “Ava’s body was yelling out to these clinicians, ‘help me!’, and they just ignored it.”
Following a trial, the jury found in favor of Ava’s family, delivering a substantial award to acknowledge the preventable nature of her death. Attorney Aaron Boeder expressed gratitude for the jury’s recognition of the family’s loss, highlighting the added layer of comfort that the verdict may provide. “While nothing will ease the depth of Ava’s loved ones’ pain, the family appreciates that the jury recognized that Ava’s death was preventable and that she should still be with them today,” he remarked.
This case has drawn attention to the critical responsibilities of healthcare providers, emphasizing the importance of careful assessment and appropriate medical responses to patient symptoms. The jury’s decision underscores an increasing demand for accountability within the medical field, particularly in situations involving vulnerable patients like children.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Ava Wilson serve as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate medical care, raising important questions about the protocols in place for treating patients in distress.
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