BELLEVILLE — The daughter and wife of a man who died following medical transport from Illinois to Arizona are claiming negligent care caused his death.
Rhonda Reifschneider, individually and as independent administrator of the Estate of Ronald Reifschneider, deceased, and Barbara Reifschneider, filed a complaint Aug. 10 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Eastern Royal Medical Transport (ERMT) LLC and Helia Healthcare of Belleville LLC, doing business as Four Fountains, alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, Ronald Reifschneider is Rhonda Reifschneider's father. The suit states that the decedent suffered from Type II Diabetes and Stage IV cancer when he was transferred to Four Fountains in February. When he was to be moved to Arizona, the plaintiffs hired ERMT to transport Ronald Reifschneider from Illinois since he was unable to fly due to his medical conditions. Ronald Reifschneider allegedly required monitoring of blood glucose every four hours due to being on prescription steroids.
The plaintiffs allege that on March 19, ERMT began to transport Robert Reifschneider to Arizona and the next day, he suffered from hypoglycemia and was admitted to the ICU at the University of New Mexico. He died the following day from a hypoxic brain injury, the suit states.
The plaintiffs allege ERMT failed to monitor Ronald Reifschneider's insulin levels, failed to give him proper nutrition and failed to provide "appropriate medical intervention." They also allege ERMT was not licensed in Illinois for "non-emergency medical transport."
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. They are represented by David Cates of Cates Mahoney LLC in Swansea.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 20-L-603