Investigation into Medicine Swap Harm at Westgate Elementary School in Arlington Heights, Illinois

The protection of children is a parent’s highest priority. A parent entrusts their children’s school and that school’s medical providers to care for and safeguard their precious little ones. This trust was broken by Westgate Elementary School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where we have evidence that the school did not properly dispense children’s prescription medication, and children were given substitute medications. Family Doe 1, has retained Romanucci & Blandin because the parents believe their child was not given the proper medication and has suffered health problems because of it. The child’s medical team has confirmed that the child’s blood work shows suggestive signs of excessive aspirin intake and also shows positive for fentanyl.

Romanucci & Blandin is conducting a civil investigation into the matter. We believe there are other families whose children also did not receive their proper medication.

The allegations came to light the week of April 22, 2024, when parents say the school informed them their children may not have received the proper medication at school.  Romanucci & Blandin attorneys urge any parents with a child who was administered medication at Westgate Elementary to see a physician immediately and discuss if an examination is appropriate including a urinalysis testing for exposure to fentanyl and other drugs, a full blood panel, and EKG to test for heart function and any other specialty tests based on the child’s medical needs. Medical experts say fentanyl is evident in a person’s system for only a limited time after exposure, so immediate medical attention is important.

The legal team in this matter includes Managing Partner Gina A. DeBoni, Senior Attorney Daisy Ayllón and Senior Attorney Jason J. Friedl. 

This situation is a parent’s nightmare and a complete violation of trust they place in a school and medical providers to keep their children safe. We are talking about innocent elementary school children who have medical needs that their physicians and parents are managing with prescription medication. For those children not to receive the exact medication or dosage they need can have tragic health consequences. We are in communication with the Arlington Heights Police Department and will do everything we can to support their criminal investigation.

As our investigation peels back the layers to learn what happened at Westgate Elementary there are indications school officials had received prior concerns that some children’s medications may not have been properly administered. Further, a child with fentanyl in their bloodstream is completely unconscionable. We will look closely at the school’s chain of possession of the medications, the process for keeping the medication secure, and their systems of oversight for anyone with access to children’s medications.

Experienced school abuse lawyers and medical malpractice attorneys 

Schools and other institutions should be safe spaces for their specific functions. If lines are crossed and abuse does happen, our school abuse attorneys and medical malpractice lawyers at Romanucci & Blandin have had significant experience in handling these cases to ensure victims get the justice they deserve. 

Medical malpractice or medical negligence is the term used to identify mistakes made by doctors, hospitals and other medical personnel. Those mistakes often have profound ramifications on a patient and their loved ones. When healthcare providers violate the standard of care all patients deserve, you need a skilled legal team to handle your medical malpractice case.

Children at school and their families rely on medical professionals to put the child's health care needs first. This tremendous amount of trust in our healthcare system and its personnel is not always well-placed. These acts of negligence can have catastrophic consequences.

With headquarters in Chicago, the personal injury lawyers at Romanucci & Blandin know the damage caused by these situations can also medical bills for treatment, therapy or counseling and more. The attorneys at Romanucci & Blandin know how to navigate these sensitive cases and bring justice to victims - even if the abuse took place years ago – and often settle these types of cases without going to trial.

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The personal injury attorneys at Romanucci & Blandin have proven success in these types of cases. If you or a loved one has suffered injury or wrongful death, please contact our office at info@rblaw.net, 312-458-1000 or click here for a free case evaluation. There is never a fee until you are compensated for your injuries at the end of the case.

Disclaimer: The content found on this page is not legal assistance and contacting the school abuse or medical malpractice lawyers at Romanucci & Blandin’s law office for a free consultation regarding personal injury cases and claims does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.