EAST ST. LOUIS - A veteran is suing the US for $12 million, claiming he suffered a partial leg amputation when an infected diabetic ulcer was not treated.
Damon Mason filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against the US, alleging negligence.
According to the lawsuit, Mason received medical care and treatment by Dr. Bassam Albarcha and Dr. Alex Overmiller at the St. Louis VA Medical Center and its John Cochran Division on Dec. 21, 2018. Mason claims the treatment he received was not correct and later caused him to have his right leg amputated below the knee.
Specifically, he claims the doctors discharged him from the emergency room without providing the necessary treatment for his condition and failed to timely and appropriately assess, diagnose and treat an infected diabetic ulcer on his right foot. They also allegedly failed to provide the appropriate antibiotic therapy, failed to admit the plaintiff to the hospital for treatment and observation and failed to provide the necessary wound care, cleaning and debridement. Mason further alleges the defendants failed to ensure he was treated by a vascular, orthopedic, infectious disease or plastic surgery specialists.
Mason claims he was caused to suffer severe, permanent injuries including the guillotine amputation of his right leg below the knew, surgical costs, prosthetic costs and care expenses, other continuing medical expenses, physical and mental pain and suffering, depression, anxiety and loss of enjoyment of life.
Mason seeks an amount in excess of $12 million, plus court costs. He is represented by Troy E. Walton of Walton Telken LLC in Edwardsville.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:22-cv-00061-RJD