BELLEVILLE — A patient is suing a physician for allegedly failing to notify him of elevated PSA levels during testosterone replacement therapy, causing him to develop prostate cancer.
Derrick Ballard filed a complaint on Aug. 23 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Balavittal Varanasi, M.D. alleging he failed to properly diagnose and treat his patient.
According to the complaint, Ballard alleges that on May 27, 2015, he saw Varanasi for testosterone replacement therapy. Ballard claims Varanasi failed to obtain PSA levels prior to starting the therapy and failed to monitor his PSA levels after starting the therapy. He also claims the doctor did not warn him to stop using testosterone replacement therapy after an elevated PSA level was found.
Ballard alleges he developed prostate cancer and his chance of recovery was decreased as he was subjected to an increased risk of harm.
As a result, Ballard claims he suffered great mental and physical pain and became liable to great sums of money for hospital care.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in an amount in excess of $50,000, plus costs of suit.
He is represented by Matthew R. Chapman of Becker, Schroader & Chapman, PC in Granite City.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-468