We have been involved in hundreds of Illinois medical malpractice lawsuits and helping people find the best lawyer for their case.

You see a lot of patterns over 24 years. Some hospitals seem to be worse than others. An organization that tracks hospital safety came up with a list and ranked Illinois the 20th safest place to go to the hospital in the country. They grade every hospital and look at things like hand washing, falls that take place and deaths that seem preventable. They look for positive steps to like one hospital using a wand after surgeries to make sure a sponge hasn’t been left inside of you.

Over 100 Illinois hospitals were graded. You can see the full list of grades here. 15 hospitals got a D grade and one got an F. It looks like you should avoid:

  • CGH in Sterling.
  • Community First Medical Center in Chicago
  • Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City
  • Genesis Medical Center in Silvis
  • HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield
  • Insight Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago
  • Javon Bea Hospital in Rockton
  • OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon
  • Roseland Community Hospital in Chicago
  • Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield
  • SSM Good Samaritan in Mt. Vernon
  • Unity Point Trinity in Moline
  • Unity Point Trinity in Rock Island
  • Weiss Memorial in Chicago
  • West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park

And the one Illinois hospital to get an F grade

  • HSHS St. Mary’s in Decatur

Some thoughts on this list. I’ve seen a huge uptick in calls from potential medical malpractice victims of Trinity in the Quad Cities in the last year so that tracks. And I’ve heard bad things happening at all of the Chicago area hospitals so that makes sense. This list also reflects how it can be hard to get good medical care at rural hospitals.

But I also note that the list gave an A to St. Bernard’s Hospital in Chicago. I’ve heard many horror stories about care at that place with one attorney telling me that they wouldn’t take their dog there. And while I know Northwestern and University of Chicago have some great doctors, they both got A’s even though they are the two hospitals we get the most calls about possible medical malpractice lawsuits. Both places have had big verdicts and settlements against them in the last few years.

In other words, I’d take this list with a grain of salt. Look at the reports as to why they are considered safe or not safe. But in my experience, the best way to get a good result at a hospital is to be an advocate for yourself or a family member. In other words, if a room is dirty, let them know. If you have questions, ask them. If someone is a fall risk or has an allergy, make sure it’s crystal clear. If something is bothering you, don’t wait to bring it up.

This doesn’t guarantee a good outcome, but it certainly increases your chances of one. It shouldn’t work that way, but does.

And if you have any questions about Illinois medical malpractice law, please call us any time at 312-346-5320.