On April 7, 2009, a Peoria jury awarded Rebecca Ellsworth $555,000 (reduced by 40% for plaintiff’s contributory negligence) in a medical malpractice case.  The verdict was against Dr. Eric Elwood and Peoria Surgical Group.

Plaintiff claimed that the defendant plastic surgeon was negligent during the performance of the breast reduction surgery.  Plaintiff further claimed that the defendant plastic surgeon failed to properly treat post-operative venous congestion (obstruction of blood flow out of the breasts), and as a result, she suffered significant tissue necrosis in both breasts.  Plaintiff ultimately required bilateral breast reconstruction.

The insurance carrier for the defendant, Illinois State Mutual Inter-Insurance Exchange (ISMIE) made no settlement offer to Ms. Ellsworth either prior to or during the trial. 

John M. Saletta represented Rebecca Ellsworth.  Judge Stephen Kouri presided over the trial in Case No. 06 L 15.