Anderson Hospital
Kathleen Forneris filed a medical malpractice suit against Jeffrey Fierstein, M.D. and Anderson Hospital in Maryville alleging Fierstein negligently severed the buccal branch of her facial nerve.
In a suit filed July 7 in Madison County Circuit Court, Forneris claims Fierstein performed a right parotidectomy to treat a hard mass anterior to the border of the parotid gland on July 9, 2004.
The parotid gland is the largest of the salivary glands that produce saliva which is important in the digestion of food. The gland lies under the angle of the jaw just beneath the ear.
Forneris claims Dr. Fierstein and Anderson Hospital failed to inform her of the intended incision directly over the mass on her right cheek, failed to inform her of the risk of severing the buccal branch of facial nerve, failed to utilize a parotid incision rather than an incision directly over the mass and failed to treat her properly after the surgery.
She claims the doctors' alleged negligence caused facial paralysis, facial scarring and continuing pain and suffering.
Represented by Garrett Hoerner of Belleville, Forneris is seeking damages in excess of $200,000, plus costs of the suit.
06 L 578