SPRINGFIELD – Jurors awarded $1,825,000 to widow Donna Miller at a wrongful death trial against physician Adeeb Ahmed on Nov. 1.
Jurors found Ahmed perforated the esophagus of Elmer Miller, age 74, in 2015.
Attorneys Lanny Darr of Alton and Christopher Tucker of O’Fallon, Mo. represented Donna Miller as estate administrator.
She sued Ahmed in 2017, stating Memorial Medical Center admitted Elmer for a cardiac procedure on Jan. 29, 2015.
The lawsuit alleged that Ahmed perforated the esophagus with a probe for an echocardiogram.
The probe was alleged to have also created a false channel of about 16 inches.
The perforation was discovered on Jan. 30, and surgeons Sarah Fowler and David Timme tried to close it.
The false channel was discovered on Feb. 4. Miller became septic and he died on Feb. 24.
Donna Miller claimed she and daughter Tracey Rawlings lost Elmer’s love, comfort, and companionship, and they continued to experience grief.
Circuit Judge Ryan Cadigan held trial from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1.
Jurors awarded $1 million to the estate under Illinois survival law, which covers the damages a decedent suffered before dying.
That equals about $1,600 for each hour of his last 26 days.
Jurors awarded $600,000 in wrongful death damages to Donna Miller and Rawlings, covering grief and losses of Elmer’s society and economic support.
They awarded $225,000 in loss of normal life.
Attorney Christian Biswell represented Ahmed.