Woman gets $11.5M verdict in Edward suit

• Reprints

Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

WHEATON — A Bolingbrook woman who lost her unborn baby and a small intestine after being admitted to a Naperville hospital was awarded an $11.5 million judgment Tuesday by a DuPage County jury.

Sabine Miller, 30, of Bolingbrook was 14 weeks pregnant when she was taken by ambulance to Edward Hospital in Naperville in November 2004 and admitted to a post-partum unit, a release from the Clifford Law offices said.

Hospital personnel failed to properly monitor her “deteriorating condition,” and that of her unborn baby, the release said. Nurses also failed to contact a doctor, and Sabine lost consciousness due to septic shock.

Her small intestine also died, forcing medical staff to remove it, the release said. Months later, Northwestern Memorial Hospital successfully performed a small intestine transplant from a deceased organ donor, although Miller still faces severe medical challenges, the release said.

A jury deliberated about five hours before returning a verdict of $10.5 million for injuries to Miller and $1 million for the death of her unborn baby, the release said.

The judgment, reached after a three-week trial in Wheaton, is the second-largest award in DuPage County for an adult woman injured in a medical malpractice case, the release said.

“We are disappointed with the verdict, but continue to respect the jury system,” Edward Hospital officials said in a statement. “Edward is committed to providing the finest care to all of its patients. We wish the best for Sabine and Daniel Miller.”