Suit blames hospital and doctor for not reporting possible child abuse

A lawsuit has been filed against Memorial Hospital and an emergency room doctor claiming the defendants failed to recognize that a two-year-old girl may have been abused or neglected when they treated her four years ago.

Eddy Runyon filed the suit Feb. 20 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, claiming that the alleged negligence of the defendants meant that his daughter "endured severe physical abuse resulting in near fatal injuries."

According to the complaint, the girl was treated at the hospital in February 2010 by Dr. David Nile.

The suit alleges that both the hospital and Nile failed to file a report that the girl may have been an abused or neglected child and failed to take appropriate action to protect her from further abuse.

Citing past and future pain and suffering, medical expenses, disability and/or loss of a normal life, increased risk of future injuries, and disfigurement, the plaintiff, through her father, seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs.

Plaintiffs are being represented by J. Michael Weilmuenster of Weilmuenster & Keck of Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-99