BELLEVILLE — A Madison County woman is suing local health care providers, alleging their negligence led to injuries for the plaintiff.
Tara M. Smith filed a lawsuit July 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Dr. Carl W. Lee II, ENT Institute of Southern Illinois Ltd. in Swansea, Sound Health Services PC and Protestant Memorial Medical Center Inc., doing business as Memorial Hospital in Belleville, alleging breach of duty in failing to provide professional standards of care.
According to the complaint, on Dec. 19, 2012, Dr. Lee performed lymph node removal surgery on Smith. The suit says after the surgery, Smith began experiencing diminution of function, weakness, tenderness and use above her head.
On Aug. 1, 2014, the lawsuit states, Smith was informed by a chiropractor that she had sustained nerve damage arising out of her previous surgery and the damage was permanent and irreversible. The suit says she suffered damages of more than $50,000 and physical disfigurement.
The plaintiff alleges Lee failed to recognize symptoms of nerve damage subsequent to the surgery, failed to provide proper care and treatment and failed to timely refer Smith to another specialist.
Smith seeks a trial by jury, judgment against each defendant for more than $50,000, plus costs of suit and any other relief the court deems just and appropriate. She is represented by attorney D. Jefrrey Ezra of Ezra & Associates LLC in Collinsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-396