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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Glen Carbon man files med mal complaint over foot amputation

Pancoast

A Glen Carbon man claims he lost both of his feet after his doctor failed to diagnose him with septic shock.

Adam C. Elliott filed a lawsuit Dec. 10 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dr. Christopher T. Cruz, Anderson Hospital and Emergency Consultants.

In his complaint, Elliott claims he went to Anderson Hospital on Dec. 11, 2008, where doctors examined him and diagnosed him with viral pharyngitis. From there, doctors released Elliott and placed him on a conservative management, according to the complaint.

On Dec. 13, 2008, Elliott returned to the emergency room at the hospital with the same symptoms, the suit states. Cruz treated him and again diagnosed him with viral pharyngitis, the complaint says.

Cruz discharged Elliott without a prescription for antibiotics or additional treatment, he claims.

When his symptoms worsened, Elliott returned to Anderson Hospital on Dec. 15, 2008, where doctors found him to be in septic shock, according to the complaint. Hospital employees quickly transported Elliott via helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital, where he received proper treatment, the suit states.

However, because of the septic shock and Cruz's failure to timely treat it, Elliott lost both of his feet to amputations, incurred significant medical costs, lost income and experienced pain and suffering, the complaint says. In addition, Elliott claims he lost his normal life, experienced severe emotional discomfort and suffered disfigurement.

Elliott blames Cruz for causing his injuries, saying the doctor negligently failed to properly examine him, failed to recognize symptoms of a worsening condition, failed to recognize the severity of his condition and failed to order proper diagnostic testing. In addition, the doctor negligently failed to obtain proper
consultations, inappropriately discharged Elliott from the hospital, failed to admit Elliott for observation, failed to initiate proper antibiotics, failed to transfer Elliott to a tertiary care unit and failed to refer Elliott to a specialist, according to the complaint.

Elliott names the hospital and Emergency Consultants as defendants because Cruz was working for them at the time of the incident.

In his three-count complaint, Elliott is seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Zachary R. Pancoast and William R. Tapella of Hefner, Eberspacher and Tapella in O'Fallon will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-1235.

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