A chiropractor sued for allegedly causing a patient to suffer a stroke denies liability and claims the alleged injuries were caused by a third party.
Amanda Stuart filed a lawsuit on Sept. 2 against Tracy Drennen-Alexander, doing business as Freeburg Chiropractic.
According to the complaint, Stuart claims she developed a vertebral artery dissection, a condition tearing the inner lining of neck arteries, after six visits to Freeburg Chiropractic between July and September 2013.
As a result, the plaintiff also allegedly suffered a type of stroke known as a cerebellar infarct, causing double vision, vomiting, pain and nausea, which was diagnosed at Barnes Jewish Hospital on Sept. 4, 2013, the suit states.
Stuart alleges Drennen-Alexander failed to advise the plaintiff to seek immediate medical treatment for the injuries, which allegedly left her with permanent, partial and total disabilities to her brain, arteries, neck, nervous system and other areas, requiring medical treatment.
The defendant answered the complaint on Oct. 30 through attorney Diane Robben of Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard in St. Louis. She argues that any alleges injuries were not directly or proximately caused by an act or omission on her part, but were the result of a third party. She did not provide any further details on the alleged third party.
Stuart seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus litigation costs and other punitive damages.
St. Clair County Associate Judge Randall Kelley scheduled a status conference for Dec. 9 at 8:30 a.m.
E.A. “Noel” Sevastianos of Sevastianos & Associates P.C. in St. Louis represents the plaintiff.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-495