Rowland
A Madison County woman and her husband are suing her doctors after an alleged botched hysterectomy caused the patient ongoing kidney problems.
Lori and Scott Peterson filed the lawsuit May 4 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dr. Elisabeth Beyer-Nolen and Dr. Leslie Simonton-Smith. Heartland Women's Healthcare Ltd. is also named as a defendant.
Lori Peterson says she underwent a laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy in May 2010 at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mount Vernon. The procedure was performed by Drs. Beyer-Nolen and Simonton-Smith, according to the complaint. Peterson claims her bladder was accidentally cut during the surgery. During the repair, Peterson says the doctors erroneously sewed her left ureter closed.
Days after the hysterectomy and follow-up repair procedures, Peterson says she was diagnosed with bilateral hydronephrosis, an enlargement of the area where urine is collected in the kidney. The patient says she was forced to undergo another surgery to correct the problem. Peterson alleges she had a lengthy recovery period but was left incontinent as a result of the original procedure and subsequent repair.
Peterson and her husband accuse Drs. Beyer-Nolen and Simontom-Smith of negligence and claim Heartland Women's Healthcare is liable for her injuries. They are also suing the defendants for loss of consortium.
The Petersons ask for more than $250,000 in damages for medical expenses and costs of the lawsuit.
Attorney Robert D. Rowland of Edwardsville represents the Petersons. They ask for a jury trial.
Madison Count Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-608