HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – A suburban family in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, has been awarded a $40 million settlement in a medical malpractice lawsuit after a man suffered a debilitating stroke. Legal representatives argue that doctors failed to properly address Antonio DeAngelo’s symptoms, resulting in a stroke that could have been prevented.
According to court records, DeAngelo, a former full-time landscaper, sought medical treatment for a sudden increase in blood pressure at Advocate Physician Partners, affiliated with Advocate Health, in 2015. The doctor did not order any lab tests, blood work, or an electrocardiogram (EKG), and instead sent him home, attributing his symptoms to flu-like illness. It was later revealed that DeAngelo did not receive blood pressure medication as well.
Tragically, a few weeks after his visit, DeAngelo suffered a debilitating stroke that has left him unable to walk long distances, bathe independently, and speak without assistance. To cope with his condition, he now carries a card that explains his aphasia, a language impairment.
His devastated wife, Jennifer DeAngelo, describes the past nine years as “a living hell” for their family. She believes that her husband’s stroke could have been prevented if he had received proper care. The family’s attorney, Brad Cosgrove, asserts that timely blood pressure treatment would have lower DeAngelo’s blood pressure within thirty days and prevented the stroke altogether.
This week, the family obtained a landmark verdict of nearly $40 million, marking the highest settlement ever awarded to a stroke patient in Illinois. While the family rejoices over the financial compensation, they still grapple with the emotional toll of DeAngelo’s condition. Jennifer emphasizes the significant challenges of caring for a spouse who had gone from working full-time to being completely disabled, requiring constant care.
Advocate Physician Partners, the medical facility in question, expressed sympathy towards DeAngelo but clarified that he had never received treatment at their facility and had been attended to by a non-employed physician at a private office. Due to ongoing litigation, the medical facility withheld further comments.
Despite the unprecedented settlement, the DeAngelo family aims to create a charity fund that raises awareness about aphasia, shedding light on the struggles faced by those living with the condition. Jennifer hopes that her husband, a father of two, can reclaim some semblance of his former life as they continue their arduous journey toward recovery.