Suit claims 'John Doe' caused father's lunch (sic) cancer

Ken Ledbetter of Alhambra is suing an individual under a fictitious name claiming "John Doe" caused his father's lung cancer and resultant death.

He is seeking in excess of $75,000 in damages, according to a complaint filed Jan. 27 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Robert Ledbetter, who had received medical care at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville, died July 13, 2008. The hospital is named as a respondent in discovery "in that this entity is believed by Plaintiff to have information essential to the determination of who should properly be named as additional defendants in this action."

"The death of certificate of Robert Ledbetter states that his death was caused by metastatic lunch (sic) cancer," the complaint states.

Ledbetter is represented by Christina J. Nielsen of the O'Brien Law Firm in St. Louis.

Madison County Circuit Court Case: 09-L-58.