FULTON — When Eric and Sandy Henderson adopted five children of Mexican descent, they didn’t know that getting citizenship for the two eldest, Tyler and Lily, would be so difficult.

In 2004, the couple became foster parents to 15-year-old Tyler, 14-year-old Lily, 10-year-old Santiago, 8-year-old Mia and 6-year-old Luis. A year later, the Hendersons adopted the five children.

“We saw this family and said, ‘This is the family that is supposed to come to us,’” Eric said.

The adjustment was difficult in the beginning.

“At first we thought we’d do everything for them because they’ve had such a rough life,” Eric said.

Tyler and Lily were brought to the United States illegally by their mother. The other children were born here. The children were taken from their family because of their parents’ substance abuse and their father’s abuse.

“Their dad did horrible things to them,” Eric said.

Eric, a kindergarten teacher, and Sandy, who formerly ran a daycare in their home, wanted to give the kids a loving home.

The couple have two children of their own — 19-year-old Shad and 7-year-old Zander.

After having Zander, Sandy was told she was at risk of having tubal pregnancies, so the Hendersons looked into foster care, with the goal of adopting.

That is when they found out about the five children separated from their family.

The kids’ guardian at the time was Elkhart County. Before they adopted, the Hendersons say they asked the county about getting citizenship for Tyler and Lily.

“They told us, ‘All you have to do is sign on the line,’” Eric said.

But the Hendersons soon found out they would not just have to sign paperwork. In fact, they discovered they would not be able even to begin the process until August, two years after the adoption, to make certain they have lawful custody.

As they started to talk to lawyers and politicians about the process, they got varying advice.

“I’ve never heard the same thing twice,” Sandy said. “Everything is so wishy-washy.”

The consensus, though, was that Eric and Sandy would need to take Tyler and Lily to Mexico to finalize the process.

The Hendersons were told they would need to get the children Mexican passports in order to get into the country, then obtain a green card or alien registration card in Mexico.

Many risks are involved in the procedure, though. Eric said he had heard that the children could be detained up to a year.

Eric and Sandy live on limited means. Sandy says she had to quit her job and devote her time to taking care of the children.

“Just to go to Mexico is not even in our means,” Eric said.

The Hendersons worry about what will happen if Tyler and Lily don’t get citizenship by the time they turn 18. Without citizenship, the teens will have difficulty getting financial aid for college, obtaining a driver’s license and applying for jobs.

Eric says he has even sent his story to the president trying to get answers on the issue.

Tom Ruge, a lawyer at Lewis and Kappes in Indianapolis, has dealt with similar cases.

Although he was unable to comment on their specific case, he says the Hendersons will likely have to take the children to Mexico.

He said a high percentage of immigrants from Mexico and Latin America are required to head back to their countries to gain legal residency in the United States.

“It’s very scary,” he said. “It’s tremendously important for these people. These are life-changing events. It means so much to them.”

Eric and Sandy say they’ll wait until the two years comes up in August to consult a lawyer.

They are hoping there will be a better solution, but odds are slim.

“If that’s what we have to do, that’s what we have to do,” Sandy said.

The couple knows one thing for sure.

“I can’t imagine life without them,” Sandy said.

Melissa Soria may be reached at (574) 732-5143 or via e-mail at melissa.soria@pharostribune.com

PRESS RELEASE:

Negligence of Holy Cross Hospital and Staff Results in $450,000.00 Medical

Malpractice Settlement

  CHICAGO, July 16, 2013 – Attorney Yao Dinizulu of the  Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd.  has

settled a medical malpractice lawsuit for $450,000.00 as a result of the negligence of

the staff of Holy Cross Hospital in failing to properly administer IV contrast dye.

   Plaintiff Elbert Johnson was involved in a car accident on August 10, 2006, after

leaving from church. He was taken to Holy Cross Hospital via paramedics. At Holy

Cross Hospital, as a precautionary measure to address Johnson’s complaints of head

and chest pain, an ER physician ordered an IV with contrast dye. The nurse on duty,

Mary Kay Slakaitis, acknowledged in her deposition that she placed the IV for the

purpose of a CT scan with contrast dye.

   Johnson was taken to the CT scan room, where the IV with contrast dye was

administered into his left arm with a power injector. Johnson alleged that it was a breach

of the standard of care for an IV to be placed in the dorsal side of the left hand, opposite

of the palm, if an IV was being administered for contrast dye.

   As a result of the administration of the contrast dye, an infiltration and

extravasation occurred, which are complications of the IV therapy. Both complications

involve the accidental leakage of an IV solution into surrounding tissue. These

complications caused Johnson to have swelling and numbness in his arm, which was

not treated for 12 hours. The delay of treatment ultimately caused compartment

syndrome in Johnson’s arm, which is a limb- and life-threatening condition which occurs

after an injury when there is not a sufficient amount of blood to supply the muscles and

nerves with oxygen and nutrients.

   He then needed immediate fasciotomy, which is a surgical procedure where the fascia

is cut to relieve tension or pressure commonly to treat the resulting loss of circulation of

tissue or muscle. Fascia is thin connective tissue covering, or separating, the muscles

and internal organs of the body. It varies in thickness, density, elasticity, and

composition, and is different from ligaments and tendons.

   Johnson alleged that the place of the IV was a breach of the standard of care. The

defendant, ER physician, however, denied any liability, arguing that it was not his

responsibility to recommend or place the IV. The attending physician argued that the

defendant was not aware of the complications of the IV.

   The defendant, Holy Cross Hospital, also attempted to waive the medical bills in an

attempt to disallow the admission of the medical bills incurred at trial. However, the

plaintiff alleged that while the medical bills may not be able to be used against the

defendant, Holy Cross, they can be used against the other defendants pursuant to a

statement that has been adopted by Illinois courts. Mr. Johnson was essentially at full

function within a year with slight residual deficits in strength.

   The case was settled with Holy Cross Hospital, Mary Kay Slakaitis, and the two

drivers of the vehicle of the accident for $450,000.00.

The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. is an Illinois personal injury firm that concentrates

in trucking and auto accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful

death, and workers compensation claims.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR MESOTHELIOMA VICTIMS

By Melissa Soria

Whether you or a loved one has become sick as a result of mesothelioma it is

important to know all the resources available at your disposal. From commonly

and well-known resources, such support groups, to lesser known resources like

transportation savings we will go through the most important assets you should

know about.

The most common resource available to mesothelioma patients are the

counseling and community support groups. A great aspect of support groups is

the sense of belonging, which provides hope and inspiration to those who have

fallen sick from mesothelioma.

It also provides an opportunity to hear from others who are experiencing similar

difficulties. Raising awareness about mesothelioma through activities and events

is also very common. Each year in cities across the country 5K races take place

to raise money and support for mesothelioma patients with the hopes to find a

cure.

From legal compensation to government programs there are several financial

resources that you and your family can benefit from. Since mesothelioma is

developed through asbestos exposure legal compensation would typically

include holding companies that manufactured the asbestos responsible through

the courts and litigation.

Mesothelioma patients can also utilize resources from the government, such as

Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. If you were exposed to asbestos in the

military the Veterans Affairs (VA) has pension compensation packages. The VA

also provides benefits and support to your caregivers.

As a result of frequently traveling for treatments, transportation resources are

regularly available as well. There are organizations that provide free flights for

mesothelioma patients and caregivers. Angel Flights Inc. is an example of those

organizations, and they specifically provide flights throughout the Midwest.

Additionally, mesothelioma patients getting assistance in hospitals will often

receive reduced rates for housing at nearby hotels.  In some parts of the country

there are foundations that have built cancer centers dedicated to housing

caregivers and family relatives of cancer patients.

Here at Vogelzang Law, we are always willing to help in any capacity and we

hope this has provided useful to you or your loved ones. Do not hesitate to reach

out, our office is here for you. Call us at 312-466-1669 Monday through Friday

from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.

VOGELZANG LAW SETTLES FOUR ASBESTOS-RELATED

CASES FOR OVER $6.5 MILLION

By Melissa Soria

The trial team at Vogelzang Law successfully resolved four asbestos-related

cases last week that totaled over $6.5 million.

Jim Battreall grew up on the south side of Chicago, and held many jobs

throughout his long career, many of which exposed him to asbestos.

While attending Bowen High School, Mr. Battreall worked as a plumber. During

this period, Mr. Battreall also did maintenance work on his cars, as well as the

cars of others in the community.

After high school, Mr. Battreall worked at a rail yard, performing maintenance on

rail cars. For the majority of his career, Mr. Battreall worked with the Iron Workers

Union #1, in the construction of several famous Chicago highrises. Due to his

many jobs routinely exposing him to asbestos, Mr. Battreall was diagnosed with

mesothelioma in 2018.

Larry DeHaven worked as a traveling journeyman industrial electrician and was

exposed to asbestos at numerous job sites throughout Illinois, Michigan, Indiana,

and as far as California and Alaska. Mr. DeHaven passed away from

mesothelioma on August 29, 2019.

Eddie Evans worked as a laborer, a ladle stopper helper, and as a hot top helper

at steel mills in Northwest Indiana, where he was exposed to asbestos. He was

diagnosed in February 2017.

Inge Markey worked at a metal fabrication company that her husband operated in

Riverdale, Illinois, where she was exposed to asbestos. Mrs. Markey’s husband

worked with boilers, tanks and heat exchangers for nearly 40 years. Inge handled

the family’s laundry, where she inhaled the asbestos dust that had collected on

his clothing. She was diagnosed in December 2017.

Attorneys Michael Maienza and Wyatt Berkover worked on these cases, along

with the firm’s support staff. The firm continues to work diligently on behalf of

hardworking individuals across the country who have been harmed by asbestos

exposure.

Contact us at 312-626-7401 if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with

mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure.