Patient blames Northwestern hospital for not consulting specialist over wrist injury

A Chicago hospital is facing a lawsuit from a patient who claims its failure to properly evaluate his hand injuries caused him to suffer

Jesse Reynolds filed suit March 11 in Cook County Circuit Court against Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation.

According to the complaint, Reynolds was brought to the Illinois Masonic Medical Center following an automobile accident on Sept. 3, 2013, when he was diagnosed with multiple hand injuries and transferred to Northwestern.

Reynolds claims X-rays taken on Sept. 9 at Northwestern’s facility revealed injuries his left wrist consistent with a fracture that would compress ulnar and medial nerves, but that the defendants failed to consult with a hand specialist. After being evaluated by an independent orthopedic surgeon on Sept. 23, the suit says Reynolds underwent surgery three days later.

He claims he suffered severe injuries as a result of the defendants' negligence, which the suit says included failing to consult a hand/wrist specialist, report the fracture to a doctor or properly evaluate, diagnose and treat the fracture and nerves in a timely manner,.

Reynolds seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorney fees and costs. He is represented by attorney Bradley Schulman of Motherway & Napleton in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2015L002520.