Petrovich and Gateway sued for malpractice

Donald Canterbery filed a medical malpractice suit against John Petrovich, M.D. and Gateway Regional Medical Center in Madison County Circuit Court Sept. 12.

According to the complaint, Petrovich performed a biopsy on a mass in Canterbery's left groin area at Gateway on Sept. 27, 2004.

"Following surgery, Canterbery experienced pain, numbness and nerve damage in the left lower extremity," the complaint states.

Canterbery claims Petrovich failed to perform an adequate physical exam prior to the surgery, failed to order a review or MRI or CT scan prior to surgery, failed to order a biopsy of the soft tissue tumor prior to the removal of the tumor, failed to diagnose the tumor prior to removal and failed to obtain consent to perform an excision on the left groin mass.

He also claims Petrovich lacerated or otherwise injured nerves in his groin, failed to diagnose the nerve injury, and operated on him under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Canterbery alleges as a result of Petrovich's negligence he suffered nerve damage which caused him to suffer great pain, disability and anxiety, erectile dysfunction, the inability to flex his lower extremity and the wasting of muscles and tissues in his left lower extremity.

Represented by Todd Hendrickson of Clayton Mo, Canterbery is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus costs of the suit.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Don Weber.