A man who allegedly suffered post-operative damage from a hernia operation is suing a doctor, his practice and an Arlington Heights hospital.
Robert Surma and Margaret Surma filed a complaint June 26 in Cook County Circuit Court against Dr. Richard Broderick, Surgical Neurology Associates Ltd. and Northwest Community Hospital.
On March 2, 2014, the lawsuit states, Robert Surma went to Northwest Community complaining of severe back pain. After admittance and four days of testing, Broderick performed surgery to repair a herniation, the lawsuit states.
The defendants are cited with failing to obtain informed consent; timely recognize the severity of the plaintiff's symptoms; timely perform a bilateral microdiskectomy; exercise good judgment during the procedure; exercise meticulous care in handling the plaintiff's cauda equina nerves when compressed; rend adequate prophylactic agents to prevent deep vein thrombosis; and use good decision-making when discounting the plaintiff's "compression hose improperly and prematurely."
As a result, the lawsuit states, the plaintiff suffered spinal cord and nerve injuries that resulted in weakness, numbness and paralysis of his lower extremities, as well a pain and suffering, disability and disfigurement, loss of a normal life and medical expenses.
The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $200,000, plus costs. His wife, citing loss of consortium, seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus costs.
The plaintiff is represented by Stephan Blandin and Michael E. Holden of Romanucci and Blandin LLC in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L006597.