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Cook County jury awards $66M to family of woman who died after tummy tuck, liposuction
A Cook County jury awarded more than $66 million to the family of a woman who died in 2019 after undergoing surgery for a tummy tuck and liposuction.
COOK COUNTY, Ill. - A Cook County jury awarded more than $66 million to the family of a woman who died in 2019 after undergoing surgery for a tummy tuck and liposuction.
The family’s attorney called it a "shameful case of medical malpractice."
"We believe that this is the largest medical malpractice verdict in Illinois history for wrongful death," said attorney Brad Cosgrove, with Clifford Law Offices.
Cosgrove argued that the large verdict was justified by the facts of the case.
Idalia Corcoles, 39, of Chicago, a married mother of four, visited the 63-laser and skin clinic near 63rd and Pulaski on the city’s southwest side for the procedures.
The lawsuit stated that Dr. Ayoub Sayeg was performing the surgery when it became clear something was wrong.
"There were signs that she was losing blood during the surgery. There were unstable vital signs where it was demonstrated her blood pressure kept dropping down," Cosgrove said.
Cosgrove said Corcoles continued to deteriorate after the surgery ended, but the doctor opted to go ahead with a procedure on another patient, leaving her in the care of an inexperienced nurse.
"Dr. Sayeg assured the anesthesiologist three different occasions that the patient was not bleeding. But he failed to come and do even a basic abdominal exam on the patient," Cosgrove said.
After her heart rate soared above 200 for several hours, the lawsuit said Corcoles was transferred to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she underwent emergency surgery.
"Through heroic efforts, they were able to open her belly and they found she had over two liters of blood. More than half of her blood volume in her abdominal cavity. Essentially what that means is the patient had been bleeding for hours, unrecognized and untreated," Cosgrove said.
Despite efforts to save her, Corcoles suffered massive organ failure and died after being removed from a ventilator.
After a trial lasting about a week, a Cook County jury on Friday found Dr. Sayeg and his businesses liable for Corcoles’ death, ordering him to pay $32 million for grief, sorrow, and mental suffering.
He was also ordered to pay $15 million for loss of love, care, guidance, and companionship, and $19 million for Corcoles' pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Dr. Sayeg, who is based in Michigan and flies to Chicago for plastic surgeries, is still practicing at the clinic on the southwest side.
"But what this verdict will mean is that he will be reported to the Illinois Department of Professional Financial Responsibility and his practices will be investigated. And, he will be subject to investigation where he will have to explain his conduct to the state licensing committee," Cosgrove said.
Dr. Sayeg can appeal the verdict and judgment, but he would need to post a bond of nearly $100 million, which would be held by the court until the appeal is decided.
We reached out to Dr. Sayeg and the clinic by phone and by email but have not received a response.