The wife of a recently deceased man claims a doctor at St. Anthony's Health Center failed to appropriately treat her husband for breathing problems and for malnutrition, allowing him to die.
Christine A. Kelley filed a lawsuit Sept. 24 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dr. Amber Anwar and St. Anthony's Health Center.
In her complaint, Christine Kelley claims her husband, Robert A. Kelley, was admitted to the health center on Aug. 24, 2010, with acute respiratory failure, which is a condition that occurs when a person's lungs do not get enough oxygen to his/her blood. During his stay, Robert Kelley also suffered from water in his lungs, from pneumonia and from malnutrition, according to the complaint.
Anwar released Robert Kelley on Sept. 5, 2010, before his medical problems had cleared up, the suit states.
As a result of his early release, Robert Kelley died on Sept. 27, 2010, the complaint says.
Because of her husband's death, Christine Kelley claims she lost his consortium and society; experienced grief and suffering; and incurred medical costs.
In addition to her early release of Robert Kelley, Anwar allegedly failed to take a history of Robert Kelley, failed to recognize that Robert Kelley was suffering from sepsis and failed to recognize that Robert Kelley's symptoms required a longer hospital stay, according to the complaint.
Christine Kelley names Drs. Hafez Alsmann, George Mekhjian, Michael Klein and Orlando Ruiz-Rodriguez as respondents in discovery.
In her three-count complaint, Christine Kelley seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.
Christine Kelley will be appearing pro se.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-1531.