A patient under the care of Fairview Medical Group is suing the professional healthcare provider and one of its physicians for severe and disabling injuries that he claims he sustained as the result of inadequate medical care.
Robert Keeney filed a lawsuit on May 27 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Fairview Medical Group and Dr. Phillip Chu, alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, starting Feb. 16, 2010, and for roughly two years after, the group and Chu were responsible for providing medical care and treatment to Keeney.
The suit states that both defendants deviated from the standard of medical care and they carelessly failed to diagnose a tumor on Keeney's left vocal card in a timely manner, in addition to not timely referring him to a medical specialist and recommending a throat biopsy. They also failed to investigate his reoccurring complaints of hoarseness.
All of these factors, as indicated in the claim, led to Keeney's vocal cord cancer progression to an advanced stage and permanent damage to his left vocal cord.
The plaintiff alleges he has endured severe and repeated pain, in addition to mental anguish. He is requesting compensation based on this, as well as current and future medical expenses and lost wages.
Keeney is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus suit costs. He is demanding trial by jury.
The plaintiff's wife Suzanne Keeney is also suing Fairview Medical Group and Chu for losing and continuing to lose her husband's services and consortium.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-314.