Gateway Regional surgeon accused of not properly treating hematoma

 

A woman accuses a Granite City surgeon of failing to properly treat internal bleeding in the patient's back.

Joann Cannon filed a lawsuit against Dr. Victor H. Ruiz on Dec. 13 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Cannon was, according to the complaint, hospitalized at Gateway Regional Medical Center for nearly three weeks in August 2011. During that time, she says Dr. Ruiz was called in for a surgical consultation.The Granite City surgeon was allegedly asked to examine a large retroperitoneal hematoma Cannon says she had developed.

Cannon says Dr. Ruiz reviewed test results, performed an examination and decided the accumulation of blood did not need to be drained from her lower back. The patient claims the untreated hematoma eventually caused "severe bodily injury to her lower extremities."

Cannon accuses Dr. Ruiz of medical negligence for allegedly failing to recognize the retroperitoneal hematoma needed to be drained and failing to warn the patient about "the adverse consequences of not draining the hematoma." She contends the surgeon should have called in an additional consultant for a second opinion.

As a result of Dr. Ruiz's actions, Cannon says she has nerve compression that causes her permanent pain and suffering, disability and loss of normal life. She is asking to be awarded more than $50,000 in damages along with court costs.

Attorney Thomas O. Falb of Alton represents Cannon.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-2042