Medtronic, Anderson Hospital sued over pain pump malfunction

A patient is suing the makers of a pain pump he alleges malfunctioned after being implanted in his spine at a Madison County hospital.

Scott Shields and Phyllis Shields filed the complaint on Sept. 5 in Madison County Circuit Court against Medtronic Inc., Matthew McCormick and Southwestern Illinois Health Facilities Inc., also known as Anderson Hospital of Maryville. Dr. Eli S. Lin is named as a respondent in discovery.

On May 12, 2012, according to the complaint, Scott Shields was admitted to Anderson Hospital to have a pain pump and spinal catheter implanted that was intended to transmit narcotic drugs from the pump to the patient's intrathecal area. The purpose was to relieve pain from Shields' spinal area.

The implanted catheter, sold by Medtronic, allegedly malfunctioned Sept. 26, 2012, causing it to stop transmitting pain-relieving medication from the pump to Shields' spine. Because the catheter broke and failed to deliver analgesics to his spine, it had to be surgically removed, according to the lawsuit. Shields says, as a result, he suffered "permanent and permanently disabling injuries." He says the pump was removed by Dr. Lin on Oct. 3, 2012.

Shields accuses the defendants of breach of warrant, negligence and seeks more than $150,000 for medical expenses, pain and mental anguish and loss of normal life. Phyllis Shields accuses the defendants of loss of consortium and seeks more than $100,000 in damages.

Attorney Bruce N. Cook, of Belleville, represents the Shieldses.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 2014-L-1222.