Optometrist accused of failing to diagnose fatal ocular melanoma

The surviving spouse of a recently deceased man blames her husband’s eye doctor for contributing to his death, saying the optometrist failed to diagnose his cancer.

Cindy Heflin filed a lawsuit April 29 in Madison County Circuit Court against Rosenthal Optometric Associates and Kimberly Rosenthal Tinge.

In her complaint, Cindy Heflin alleges her recently deceased husband, Kurt B. Heflin, died because of a metastatic melanoma on Nov. 20. She blames her husband’s death on his optometrist, Tinge, who failed to diagnose him with the ocular melanoma that killed him, according to the complaint.

Before his death, Kurt B. Heflin experienced pain and suffering, lost earnings and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Since Kurt B. Heflin’s death, his wife has lost his support, care, love and affection, the complaint says.

In her complaint, Cindy Heflin seeks a judgment of more than $100,000.

William S. Beatty of Beatty and Motil in Glen Carbon will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-653.