Foot surgeon, plate manufacturer sued in St. Clair County

A man has filed suit against his doctor, alleging the surgeon placed the wrong size screws at the incorrect angle into his foot during an operation.

Patrick M. Dettmer claims defendant Dr. Brett R. Grebing performed various medical procedures on his left foot that involved placing screws into the limb. During the surgeries, however, Grebing placed improperly sized screws into Dettmer’s foot at the wrong angle, according to the complaint filed Dec. 9 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Following the medical procedure, Grebing failed to recognize the complications that arose, in part because he failed to provide proper post-surgical care, the suit states.

In turn, Dettmer was forced to undergo therapy for symptoms associated with broken screws, has been unable to move as usual and incurred substantial therapy-related costs, the complaint says. He also claims he lost wages and fringe benefits.

In addition to Grebing, Dettmer names Stryker as a defendant. The company had manufactured the foot plate and screw set inserted into Dettmer’s foot, but failed to properly design them, according to the complaint.

In his complaint, Dettmer seeks a judgment of more than $250,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Robert G. Jones of The Jones Law Firm in Swansea and Charles J. Baricevic of Chatham and Baricevic in Swansea will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-2044.