Tourniquet left on too long, med mal suit claims

A Madison County man has filed suit against Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital, alleging employees at the hospital failed to remove a tourniquet from his arm.

Frederick Campbell visited Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital on Jan. 31, 2007, complaining of generalized weakness, lethargy, weight loss, frequency of urination and blurred vision, according to the complaint filed Jan. 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

While Campbell was at the hospital, a tourniquet was placed on his arm and left unattended, the suit states.

As a result, Campbell claims he sustained severe and permanent injuries to his right arm and was hindered and prevented from attending to his usual duties and affairs.

He also incurred medical expenses and suffered great pain, suffering and emotional distress, according to the complaint.

Employees at Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital were negligent by failing to properly monitor and administer medication to Campbell, by failing to appropriately address and respond to Campbell's complaints, by failing to properly perform an IV infiltration and by failing to remove a tourniquet after starting the IV infiltration, the suit states.

Campbell is seeking a judgment in excess of $50.000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

He is represented by John T. Papa of Callis, Papa, Hale, Szewczyk and Danzinger in Granite City.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0053.