Doctor failed to diagnose boy with cauda equina syndrome, suit says

The father of a minor boy claims a Madison County doctor failed to accurately diagnose his son with a medical condition that caused paralysis.

Richard Watson claims his son, Nickolay Watson, visited defendant Dr. Angela Bard at defendant Washington University in May 2011 to seek treatment for an unknown medical condition.

According to the lawsuit filed Jan. 18 in Madison County Circuit Court, Bard failed to diagnose Nickolay Watson with cauda equina syndrome, which is a medical condition that results from the crushing of nerves in the spinal column.

As a result, Nickolay Watson became paralyzed and incontinent, suffered from extreme physical pain, mental anguish, disability and disfigurement and lost his enjoyment of a normal life, the suit claims.

He also incurred medical costs, became permanently impaired from performing his usual duties and lost future wages, the suit claims.

In his six-count complaint, Richard Watson is seeking a judgment of more than $450,000, plus costs.

Thomas Q. Keefe Jr. of Belleville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-66.