St. Clair County Associate Judge Randall Kelley granted St. Joseph’s Hospital’s motion to transfer a patient’s case alleging he suffered an infection following a neck injection.
St. Joseph’s Hospital filed a motion to transfer venue based on forum non conveniens on Dec. 31 through attorney Michael Nester of Donovan Rose Nester in Belleville. They argue that the plaintiff’s cause of action arose in Madison County and the medical care at issue in regards to St. Joseph’s occurred in Madison County.
Kelley granted St. Joseph’s motion to transfer venue on Jan. 25, transferring the action against St. Joseph’s Hospital to Madison County Circuit Court.
Bill and Kimberly Blechinger filed the lawsuit on Nov. 18 against Dr. Alejandro Alvarado, HSHS Medical Group Inc., Dr. Robert Corprew, Midwest Emergency Department Services and St. Joseph’s Hospital, of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.
According to the complaint, Bill Blechinger was under the care of Alvarado, who is licensed to practice and employed by HSHS Medical Group, on March 20. The next day, the plaintiff claims he entered the emergency department at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where his care was assumed by Corprew, the suit states.
The plaintiffs allege Corprew negligently and carelessly administered an injection into Bill Blechinger’s lumbar space absent a sterile environment, which allegedly caused an infection.
The plaintiffs seek damages of at least $75,000, plus court costs and attorney’s fees.
Associate Judge Randall Kelley later granted the plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint by substituting Infinity-Meds LLP for Midwest Emergency Department Services Inc. as a defendant.
Alejandro and HSHS Medical Group filed a motion to adopt St. Joseph’s motion to transfer venue on Feb. 1 through attorney Kenneth Burke of Brown & James in Belleville.
The defendants also answered the complaint on Feb. 1, denying liability.
Corprew answered the complaint on Dec. 23 through attorney Ted Dennis of Freeark Harvey & Mendillo in Belleville, denying the allegations against him.
The plaintiffs are represented by Thomas Keefe Jr. of Keefe & Keefe PC in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-661