EAST ST. LOUIS - A Collinsville couple is suing Barnes-Jewish Hospital, alleging the hospital failed to maintain a sterile field when placing a lumbar drain.
Herbert Koonce and Rosetta Koonce filed a complaint on July 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Barnes-Jewish Hospital, alleging it failed to exercise the requisite standard of care in treating patients.
According to the complaint, Herbert Koonce went to the defendant's facility on Aug. 31, 2015, and was later transferred to another facility.
The plaintiffs allege the defendant failed to maintain a sterile field in which to place a lumbar drain and failed to clean and sanitize his body before the drain was placed. They allege he has suffered serious and permanent injuries as a result.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek damages of more than $50,000 and costs expended for this action.
They are represented by John J. Hopkins of John J. Hopkins & Associates PC in Alton.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:17-cv-00749