Belleville Memorial Hospital
Paul Neumann of Edwardsville filed a medical malpractice suit against a retired doctor and Belleville Memorial Hospital in Madison County Circuit Court on Jan. 10, seeking damages in excess of $150,000.
Donald Serot, M.D., a renowned Belleville orthopedic surgeon, told his patients he would be retiring from practice in an abrupt announcement on July 29, 2005.
He indicated his decision to retire early was related to the high cost of obtaining medical malpractice insurance coverage.
Neumann claims that on Feb. 8, 2005, Serot committed the following negligent acts:
Neumann claims Serot's alleged negligence caused his knee replacement surgery to be unsuccessful which required additional surgeries.
He also claims he has incurred medical and hospital expenses in an endeavor to cure his injuries and has and will continue to suffer pain and mental anguish.
Neumann is seeking damages from Memorial claiming Serot was an agent and/or apparent agent of the hospital.
"Plaintiff acted in reliance upon the conduct of Memorial and its agents, consistent with ordinary care and prudence," the complaint states.
This is the fourth malpractice suit against Serot since his retirement.
In March 2006, Jerry Moeser, seeking damages in excess of $250,000, filed suit against Serot claiming he carelessly malpositioned a surgical device called an "acetabular component" on Nov. 2, 2004.
Kenneth D. Mitchell claims his hip was dislocated as a result of Serot's negligence in a suit filed Sept. 8, 2006, in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Mitchell claims Serot placed an undersized femoral component in a hip replacement surgery performed at Memorial Hospital in Belleville on Oct. 12, 2004. He is seeking damages in excess of $100,000.
Robert A. Thompson filed suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court Nov. 29 claiming Serot improperly positioned the tibial component of his knee replacement on April 5, 2005.
Seeking in excess of $50,000 in damages, Thompson also claims Serot improperly performed the tibial cut during the surgery.
Neumann is represented by Charles Chapman of the Lakin law firm in Wood River.
Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel J. Stack has been assigned the case.
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