EDWARDSVILLE — An Iraq veteran claims she endured inappropriate comments and touching from a male VA nurse practitioner during a medical exam, aggravating her post-traumatic stress disorder.
Jane Doe filed a complaint May 26 in the Madison County Circuit Court against William Luchtefeld, alleging violation of the gender Violence Act, battery, assault and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
According to the plaintiff's complaint, she went to a VA facility for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, where Luchtefeld was working as a nurse practitioner on June 3, 2019. She alleges that during the examination, Luchtefeld made inappropriate comments, rubbed her sides and nipples with his thumb and tried to give her a pelvic exam. Doe claims she refused and left the office "before any further contact could occur" and that the incident has caused her to suffer aggravation of her post-traumatic stress disorder and other emotional issues she suffered after serving two tours of duty in Iraq.
The plaintiff seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. She is represented by Michael Blotevogel, Charles Armbruster, III and Roy Cripps of Armbruster, Dripps, Winterscheidt & Blotevogel LLC in Maryville and Justin Mattea of Justin B. Mattea Law LLC in Maryville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-000635