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Our names are Eric and Evilyn Ramirez. We were excited for the birth of our first child; instead it turned into a nightmare. Our daughter, Dahlia, needed surgery a month after she was born. A surgery we were told was routine.

However, something went terribly wrong when the surgeons made the first cut. A preventable operating room “flash fire” set Dahlia’s body on fire. It burned our baby over 37 percent of her body with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Her face was burned, and she lost part of her nose, fingertips and thumbs. Dahlia was without oxygen for at least 15 minutes, which triggered a cardiac emergency that left her brain-damaged and resulted in Dahlia suffering from cerebral palsy today.

If it weren’t for the civil justice system, we would not have had the resources to pay for Dahlia’s everyday care, therapies, specialized education and future surgeries that she needs to overcome her injuries as best she can. It will allow us to give Dahlia all the things she will need to live as close to a normal life as possible.

The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association fights to ensure all citizens get equal footing in the courtroom. To learn more about Dahlia, click here.