Maritime law firm removes case alleging confidential medical information was released

A St. Louis admiralty and maritime law firm has removed a case to federal court that alleges a medicine shop employee released a patient’s confidential medical information to the firm.

Defendant Tonkin & Mondl L.C. filed a notice of removal to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois on Dec. 17. It claims diversity of citizenship and the amount in controversy make removal appropriate.

According to the Nov. 13 lawsuit, Billy R. Rigsby Jr. alleges he was a customer of Medicine Shoppe International to provide his pharmaceutical needs.

Then on Jan. 10, RIgsby claims one of the store’s employees accessed his confidential, private information and shared certain contents of his prescription history to defendants Platt Marine Service and Tonkin and Mondi, the suit states.

As a result of the store employee’s actions, Rigsby lost more than $100,000, the plaintiff alleges.

Rigsby seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs, interest, attorney fees and other relief the court deems just.

Rigsby filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss his claims against Medicine Shoppe International, Inc., without prejudice on Dec. 4 through attorney Charles H. Stegmeyer of Belleville.

Circuit Judge Robert LeChien granted Rigsby’s request on Dec. 16.

Tonkin & Mondl is represented by Courtney C. Stirrat of St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 14-L-752