Jury awards $22 million to family of woman who died during child birth

A jury has awarded $22 million to the family of a woman who died from complications that arose during child birth at an Evanston hospital.

The jury agreed with the family of Rachelle Bentivenga that in 2003, the staff of St. Francis Hospital failed to properly treat her high blood pressure during labor and that she suffered a massive brain hemorrhage as a result.

Bentivenga was placed on a ventilator and died four days later. Her son, Richard, was delivered by Caesarean section and survived.

The verdict was awarded Tuesday against St. Francis Hospital and Dr. Calvin Monroe.

Aiju Thevatheril, an attorney for the defendants, said Wednesday the hospital was disappointed with the verdict and would pursue an appeal. Thevatheril declined to comment further on the trial.