Misdiagnosis leads to med mal suit

Michael A. Bowen alleges that a Belleville doctor's misdiagnosis has caused him a physical deformity and continuing pain in his left hand.

According to a medical malpractice suit filed April 19 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Bowen was seen at Memorial Hospital's emergency room on Nov. 12, 2003, for treatment of a left hand injury.

After x-rays were ordered and reviewed by Keith L. Mullenger, M.D., Bowen was released from the hospital.

"...[A] determination and diagnosis was made by defendant Keith L. Mullenger, M.D. that plaintiff's hand had suffered no fracture, dislocation, unusual soft tissue calcification or other body abnormality," the complaint states.

Bowen, represented by Michale J. Garavalia of Becker, Paulson, Hoerner & Thompson of Belleville, is seeking in excess of $50,000 in damages.

Bowen claims that when he sought another medical opinion on April 13, 2004, an independent orthopedic surgeon determined that he had suffered an undiagnosed dorsal fracture subluxation of the fourth and fifth CMC joints.

The suit names Mullenger and the hospital as defendants.