BELLEVILLE – A St. Louis couple is suing St. Louis University, alleging the husband became paralyzed after the hospital failed to properly diagnose a spinal abscess.
Roy Conkling and Sara Conkling filed the lawsuit Feb. 11 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against St. Louis University.
According to the complaint, on Sept. 16, 2014, the the university hospital assumed the care of the Roy Conkling, who showed symptoms of a spinal abscess.
However, the plaintiffs allege the university negligently failed to diagnose a spinal abscess, failed to perform an MRI in a timely manner to disclose the existence of the spinal abscess, and delayed surgery knowing it would put the plaintiff at risk for paralysis.
Because of the negligence, the lawsuit states, Roy Conkling is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. He has suffered permanent pain, mental anguish, disability, has become liable for large sums of money for medical expenses, and has lost his ability to work, resulting in income loss, the suit says.
Sara Conkling alleges she is liable for large medical bills and has also lost the consortium from her husband.
The Conklings each seek more than than $75,000 from the defendant. They are represented by attorney Thomas O. Keefe Jr. of Keefe, Keefe & Unsell PC in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-84