Northwestern Memorial Hospital sued over spinal surgery

A woman is suing for medical malpractice, claiming she was unable to move her left foot following spinal fusion surgery.

Cheryl Hincks filed a lawsuit Nov. 13 in the Circuit Court of Cook County against Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation and Dr. Richard G. Fessler.

The suit states that prior to Nov. 14, 2011, Hincks was referred to Fessler for evaluation of potential surgical options for treating worsening back and leg symptoms. She claims Fessler recommended she undergo an operation.

According to the suit, Hincks agreed and underwent surgery with Fessler on Nov. 14, 2011, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She claims that during the surgery, she was monitored and that her levels decreased, spurring Fessler to halt the procedure.

Hincks asserts she was awakened to perform motor testing and was unable to move her left foot. The complaint alleges that Fessler failed to perform additional surgery on Hincks to improve her condition and as a result, she continues to suffer from permanent neurological deficits in her lower extremities.

She is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 and is being represented in the case by attorney Martin J. Oberman.

Circuit Court of Cook County Case No. 2013L012665.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.