$2.3 Million Awarded to Widow of Man Paralyzed by Surgery

By Daniel Hawn

Published on August 02, 2005

11 years ago, Richard McCorry underwent surgery to repair two herniated disks.

In 1996, he filed a lawsuit against the surgeon who performed the operation, claiming that the surgery did not improve his condition. Rather, McCorry said, it caused him to experience paralysis in his legs as well as weakness in his arms and hands. McCorry's wife, Barbara, was forced to leave her job in order to care for him at their Hickory Hills home. McCorry later passed away of cancer in 2003.

The defendant in the case, Thomas Hurley, has long been a proponent of reforming malpractice litigation. Earlier this year, Hurley was invited by President Bush to participate in a national malpractice reform effort. In an interview conducted in January, Hurley remarked that juries are granting large awards to plaintiffs in malpractice cases. He said that this has resulted in undue pressure upon him and others in his field.

Hurley could not be reached for comment on Tuesday's verdict.

Medical malpractices cases may be filed whenever medical professionals cause serious injury by failing to meet established standards of care. A bill currently before Illinois' governor would drastically reduce the amount of damages a plaintiff can be awarded in such cases.

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