EDWARDSVILLE — A woman is suing Alton Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service, claiming it is responsible for the wrongful death of her husband.
Nancy Gabriel filed the lawsuit as the administrator of the estate of James Gabriel.
According to the suit filed Sept. 4 in Madison County Circuit Court, James Gabriel was discharged from St. Anthony's Hospital on Feb. 2 to be transported to Edwardsville Nursing and Rehabilitation by ambulance. Gabriel, described in the suit as obese and elderly with other comorbidities, had been strapped to a gurney for transport, but an employee lost control of the gurney and Gabriel. The gurney rolled off the sidewalk and overturned, tossing Gabriel to the ground, the suit says.
Nancy Gabriel claims her husband suffered a cervical fracture, as well as other injuries, during the incident.
The defendant is accused of failing to properly monitor James Gabriel and failing to control the gurney when transporting James Gabriel.
Nancy Gabriel claims her husband died on March 23 as a result of the injuries he suffered during the gurney incident in February.
Nancy Gabriel claims the defendant is responsible for her husband's wrongful death and was negligent in its care of him.
"As a proximate result of defendant's negligent, James Gabriel did experience pain and disability, plaintiff did incur additional hospitalization and medical expenses, which he would not have otherwise incurred, he became sick and lame and then died on March 23, 2019," the complaint states.
James Gabriel fractured his vertebrae and suffered other injuries because of the defendant, according to the suit.
As his surviving spouse, Nancy Gabriel brought the lawsuit against Alton for the grief she experienced, as well as the loss of companionship she sustained, according to the suit.
Nancy Gabriel is seeking a judgment in excess of the amount of $50,000 with court costs. She is represented by Lanny Darr of Darr Law Offices in Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court for the Third Judicial Circuit Case number: 2019L 001268