Woman claims disfigurement in suit against OB GYN

A woman claims she sustained disfiguring injuries to her genitalia after a doctor performed an incorrect surgery on her.

Michelle Hager filed a lawsuit April 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Dr. Bradley J. Tissier and OB GYN Care.

In her complaint, Hager claims Tissier, a doctor working for OB GYN Care, performed surgery on her in an attempt to remove an alleged batholin gland abscess. However, Hager never had such an abscess and says her surgery was performed unnecessarily.

In fact, Hager had a vulva abscess and should have been treated accordingly, according to her complaint.

Because of the surgery Tissier performed, Hager lost a portion of her labia, which Tissier removed leaving "substantial anatomical defect and disfigurement," the suit states.

In addition, Hager incurred medical costs; sustained great pain, mental anguish, permanent injuries, disability and disfigurement; lost her normal life; and missed working days and future opportunities because of the surgery, the complaint says.

Hager blames Tissier for causing her injuries, saying he negligently failed to remove the batholin gland during the surgery, misdiagnosed her, attempted to remove the gland when he should have tried to drain the vulva abscess, indicated that he removed a gland when he was actually treating a vulva abscess and failed to keep himself abreast of proper surgical techniques.

In her two-count complaint, Hager seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Steven L. Katzman of Katzman and Associates will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-217.