A doctor and a nurse practitioner have been dismissed from a patient’s lawsuit alleging she suffered chemical burns when trichloroacetic acid was used on her arm instead of rubbing alcohol.
Plaintiff Emily Schulte filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss defendants Dennis Hurford, M.D., and Kelly Murray, NP, with prejudice and each party bearing their own costs. Her claims against Gateway Medical Group, Granite City Clinic Corp. and Meridian Ob/Gyn Associates remain pending.
The motion was filed through attorney Keith Short of Keith Short and Associates PC in Alton.
Schulte filed her complaint on July 22, 2019, alleging she was a patient at the Granite City Clinic in July 2018, which provides gynecological and obstetrics services. She claims she was there for the removal of the long-term birth control implant Nexplanon.
Schulte alleges the implant was successfully removed, but she was asked to come back for a follow-up appointment to remove an antiseptic from her arm. When the antiseptic was removed, she claims she felt a burning sensation on her arm.
She alleges she later learned that trichloroacetic acid, or TCA, was applied to her arm instead of rubbing alcohol, causing the burning.
Schulte claims the defendants negligently failed to properly label the TCA, failed to store dangerous chemicals in a safe way, and improperly applied the hazardous chemical to her skin when the defendants knew or should have known it causes chemical burns.
As a result, Schulte claims she underwent additional medical treatment to correct the injuries following the procedure.
She seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus costs.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 19-L-1017