Johnson vs. Teronde

Introduction:

This case involves the prescription and usage of a very common drug: Warfarin. Like any other medication, it must be used in an orderly and disciplined fashion or –as this case demonstrates-negative effects can occur.

Filed: March 11, 2016

Jurisdiction: Circuit Court of Illinois, Cook County

Category: Medical Malpractice

Plaintiff: Alan Johnson and Christine Johnson

Defendant(s): Michelle Teronde

Summary:

In the spring of 2014, Alan Johnson was put on a course of Warfarin to treat atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the heart beats irregularly and disrupts blood flow throughout the body. Towards the end of April of that year, he missed some required doses so he informed his doctors of this. His pharmacist, Michelle Teronde, gave him a new course of Warfarin prescription to take over the next few weeks. The case that just came into Cook County, Illinois suggests that the oversight and monitoring of this change in plans was lacking and injured him as the next section describes.

Claims and Damages:

The main thrust of the Johnsons’ lawsuit is that the defendant did not provide the requisite care that a reasonable person would have in the circumstances-that she committed malpractice. Here are some of the reasons they used in their complaint to bolster that argument: the defendant did not keep monitoring procedures after the consultations; the defendant did not properly get a recheck of the plaintiff’s PT/INR levels; the defendant ordered too much Coumadin for the plaintiff and did not properly monitor the intake of that Coumadin; the defendant set up a return visit too far after the initial consultation; the defendant did not order proper follow-up tests.

The plaintiffs also argued for loss of consortium. This claim exists when a family member suffers damages after their relative is injured because of the wrongful conduct of another.

In addition to the loss of consortium damages, the plaintiffs stated the following losses in their lawsuit:

• Intracranial hemorrhaging and neurocognitive dysfunction
• Lost wages and medical expenses
• Disability
• Loss of normal life
• Pain, suffering, and distress

Insights:

• The place to start here is look at how this doctor normally monitors people who she sends off with Warfarin and then try and get a sense of what similar doctors do in similar circumstances. This will show you if she deviated from her own standard or one that she should have been following, both possible indicators of negligence.
• One route that might be successful is to look at the instructions given with the medication because the defendants might point to this as proof that they satisfied their duties.
• The manufacturer of the medication has an obligation to inform patients or their doctors (who are then supposed to tell patients) of risks. An analysis of whether or not this occurred and to what level should be conducted.

Related Laws:

• 735 ILCS 5/2-622
• 740 ILCS 180
• 750 ILCS 65/15
• 735 ILCS 5/13-212
• 735 ILCS 5/2-1116
• 735 ILCS 5/2-1115
• 735 ILCS 5/2-1114
• 735 ILCS 5/2-1205

Has a Loved One Suffered an Injured Related to Improperly Monitored Blood Thinning Medication?

The Chicago medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC appreciate the benefits-- and dangers that accompany blood thinning medications such as Warfarin. If you loved one suffered an injury related to unchecked PT/INR levels, we are interested in discussing your legal rights and options for a recovery. Contact our firm for a free review of your situation.

Next Up:

• JOHNSON VS. SALTZMAN AND NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL GROUP
• LEWIS VS. WEST
• UNKNOWN OR UNNAMED PLAINTIFF VS. ROSNER