Doctor, hospital blamed for negligent care

A woman's estate has sued over the treatment she received from a doctor and hospital before her death.

Delores Andrews, administrator for the estate of the late Annie Hopson, filed a lawsuit April 14 in St. Clair County Circuit Court complaint against Touchette Regional Hospital Inc. and Dr. Kenneth Velez.

According to the complaint, on April 16, 2013, Hopson came under the defendants' care, complaining of neck pain and swelling legs, and, after an X-ray, Hopson was told she had a thoracic abdominal aortic aneurysm. Hopson underwent an EKG, showing abnormalities, the suit says.

The next day Hopson was discharged in fair condition but with "adema, hypokalemia and congestive heart failure," according to the lawsuit, and an hour later, Hopson was returned to the hospital by ambulance. The states she was unresponsive and an hour later, she was pronounced dead.

The suit says the defendants, among other complaints, negligently and carelessly: failed to properly observe, assess, evaluate and treat Hopson; failed to treat a life-threatening condition; failed to order additional tests that would have properly evaluated the deceased; failed to admit Hopson; failed to have the right policies in place to "promote quality patient care;" failed to follow the policies that were in place; failed to provide qualified and competent health-care professionals; failed to consult proper specialists; failed to order follow-up tests; failed to properly reassess the patient at discharge; failed to advise her family about her condition; and provided her substandard medical services.

The plaintiff cites wrongful death and violation of the Survival Act.

Andrews seeks damages in excess of $200,000, $100,000 from each defendant, plus costs. She is represented by attorneys Steven E. Katzman and Daniel C. Katzman of Katzman and Sugden of Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-211.