X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
ARGUED JUNE 7,2011

Before EASTERBROOK, Chief Judge, and BAUER and WILLIAMS, Circuit Judges.

While in a police lockup, Patricia Cobige died of a heart arrhythmia. She was arrested on June 10, 2006, and pronounced dead at about 1:30 A.M. on June 12. Evidence from one of Cobige’s cellmates, plus two deputy sheriffs and a civilian aide at the lockup, permitted a jury to find that she experienced severe abdominal pain throughout her confinement. Dan J. Fintel, Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University and head of coronary care at its hospitals, testified that the pain led Cobige to produce more epinephrine (also known as adrenaline), which combined with a pre-existing heart condition (ventricular hypertrophy) caused her death. Uterine tumors found during a post-mortem examination led Dr. Fintel to conclude that Cobige indeed had suffered serious abdominal pain; Peter Santucci, the medical expert for the defendants, agreed. Dr. Fintel thought that routine tests and care would have prevented Cobige’s death had she been taken to an emergency room. Yet Cobige never received any medical attention after her arrest. A jury found that four police officers violated both state law and the federal Constitution by allowing Cobige to suffer untreated pain; the award is $5,000,000 in compensatory and $4,000 in punitive dam-ages to Maurice Cobige, who sued as Patricia’s son and special representative of her estate. The City of Chicago will indemnify the officers, and on this appeal we use “Chicago” or “defendants” to refer to the City plus the four officers.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

Premium Subscription

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now

Team Accounts

Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now

Bundle Subscriptions

Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now

Pennsylvania Legal Awards (PALA) 2023

June 14, 2023
TBC, PA

The Legal Intelligencer honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in Pennsylvania with their dedication to law.


Learn More

Consulting Top Consultants 2023

June 15, 2023
New York, NY

Consulting Magazine identifies consultants that have the biggest impact on their clients, firms and the profession.


Learn More

Southeastern Legal Awards (SLA) 2023

June 22, 2023
TBC

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More

COMMERCIAL FINANCE ATTORNEY - CT OFFICES; REMOTE will be considered


We are seeking an attorney to join our commercial finance practice in either our Stamford, Hartford or New Haven offices. Candidates should ...


Apply Now ›

Attorneys-Solicitor General Division


Attorneys Solicitor General Division: The West Virginia Attorney General's Office is accepting applications for attorneys in the Solicitor...


Apply Now ›

CIVIL LITIGATION ATTORNEY -NEW YORK


Regional mid-sized firm with diverse civil litigation practice seeking hardworking and dedicated attorneys with 1-5 years experience for it...


Apply Now ›

LAWYERS OF DISTINCTION

05/25/2023
NLJ Web

Lawyers of Distinction would like to announce...


View Announcement ›

DAVIS, SAPERSTEIN & SALOMON, P.C.

05/08/2023
NJLJ Web

It is our privilege & honor to announce the addition of Steven H. Cohen, Patricia Z. Boguslawski, Evan D. Baker & Kelly A. Conlon as new partners of DAVIS, SAPERSTEIN & SALOMON, P.C.


View Announcement ›

FERRO LABELLA & WEISS LLC

05/08/2023
NJLJ Web

FERRO LABELLA & WEISS LLC would like to announce that....


View Announcement ›