BELLEVILLE — A man claims an infection was misdiagnosed and left untreated by St. Elizabeth's Hospital medical staff, resulting in permanent injury.
Gerald Vardiman filed a complaint Aug. 20 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Kevin McCarthy, M.D., Michael Brazelton, P.A., Amanda Zhang, M.D., and St. Elizabeth's Hospital of The Third Order of St. Francis, doing business as HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital, alleging negligence.
According to his complaint, Vardiman claims he was under the care of the defendants on Aug. 7 and Aug. 14, 2019, when they failed to "draw appropriate blood tests and to eradicate a MRSA infection" prior to repairing his "triceps rupture." He also claims the defendants failed to diagnose his septic olecranon bursitis and negligently and carelessly prescribed him corticosteroids instead of antibiotics.
Vardiman alleges the defendants provided negligent care that resulted in his suffering a "permanent" injury, pain, mental anguish, disability and disfigurement as well as lost wages and income.
He also alleges he has incurred "large sums" in hospital, medical and other costs for treatment.
Vardiman seeks monetary relief of more than $75,000 and all other just relief. He is represented by Thomas Keefe, Jr., of Keefe, Keefe & Unsell PC in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 20-L-0630