Unsell
A husband is suing a St. Clair county radiologist he says caused his wife's death by failing to diagnosis her with cancer.
Robert Barnhart, as special administrator of the estate of Kristen Barnhart, deceased, filed a lawsuit Sept. 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Saint Anthony's Health Center and Dr. Larry Reed.
Robert Barnhart says his wife, Kristen, was first diagnosed with cancer in November 2011. A year earlier, in September 2010, Barnhart says Kristen had undergone a bilateral mammogram. The procedure, according to the complaint, was performed by radiologist Dr. Larry Reed at the Saint Anthony's Health Center.
Barnhart calls Dr. Reed and the non-profit medical facility where he practiced "negligent and careless" for allegedly using substandard imaging equipment, failing to properly perform a mammogram and failing to properly read the radiograph. He says the doctor failed to diagnosis Kristen's cancer and, therefore, kept the woman from being treated for the disease that eventually led to her death.
Barnhart says Dr. Reed and Saint Anthony's Health Center caused Kristen to suffer permanent pain, mental anguish, disability and disfigurement. Since her death, he says Kristen's family has been permanently deprived of her love, companionship, society, consortium and support. Barnhart says they have also incurred large medical and funeral expenses.
Barnhart accuses the defendants of wrongful death and asks to be awarded more than $300,000 on behalf of his wife's estate.
He is represented by attorney Samantha S. Unsell of Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-465