Anne Oldenburg and Tammera Banasek recently obtained a defense verdict in a two-week Cook County trial. The plaintiff in the medical malpractice case alleged that the co-defendants (a hospital and a cardiothoracic surgeon) were responsible for negligently placing a chest tube during heart surgery, resulting in a colon perforation. The 80-year-old patient died months later from a pre-existing abdominal aortic aneurysm. The defense contended the colon injury was a known surgical complication and that the surgeon was not responsible for the patient’s failure to timely repair his AAA before its rupture. The plaintiff had asked the jury for $9.8 million. The jury returned its verdict for the defense in 75 minutes.

Oldenburg is a partner in the firm’s Chicago office. She focuses her practice on the defense of healthcare professionals, represents professionals before licensing boards, and has published and lectured extensively on issues relating to healthcare litigation and risk management issues.

Banasek, who is also a partner in the firm’s Chicago office, focuses her practice on complex medical, dental, and nursing home issues. She regularly speaks and publishes in the areas of medical and dental malpractice.