Professional Negligence Law Reporter
Verdicts & Settlements: Physical Therapy
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Failure to lower treatment table
December 23, 2024Caroline Fazio, 74, had a history of polio and chronic weakness in her lower extremities. She underwent physical therapy at NovaCare Rehabilitation, where she was attended to by a physical therapist, a PT assistant, and a student. After her treatment session ended, she got up from an elevated treatment table that she did not realize had been raised from the position it was in when she first sat on it. Fazio fell, suffering a torn rotator cuff, a knee injury, and other injuries. She required cortisone injections and later underwent surgery to repair the rotator cuff.
Fazio sued RCI WRS, Inc., which did business as NovaCare Rehabilitation, alleging it negligently failed to lower the table to a level that allowed her to safely get down, help her get off the table, and warn her about the table’s height.
The jury awarded $300,000.
Citation: Fazio v. RCI WRS, Inc., No. 2022L003336 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Cook Cnty. July 29, 2024).
Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Thomas M. Paris, Chicago.
