A man blames his heart doctor for blocking the arteries to his heart after the doctor allegedly performed the incorrect procedure.
David Buckingham filed a lawsuit Aug. 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Dr. Roop Lal, Cardiology Consultants and St. Elizabeth's Hospital of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.
In his complaint, Buckingham alleges his doctor performed an electrophysiological ablation, which is a procedure in which doctors burn cells in an attempt to eliminate heart rhythm irregularities. However, Lal never should have performed the surgery, which occurred near a bundle of heart tissue and caused a blockage to Buckingham's heart, the suit states.
Following the procedure, Lal failed to perform any tests, which would have indicated the damage caused to Buckingham's heart, the complaint says.
Because of the surgery, Buckingham claims he suffered significant injuries to his heart that caused him to be on a pacemaker for the rest of his life, sustained great pain and mental anguish and missed numerous working days.
In his three-count complaint, Buckingham seeks a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs.
Mark S. Peebles of Belleville will be representing him.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-451.