EDWARDSVILLE – The estate of a deceased woman is suing Family Physicians of Alton for allegedly dismissing her condition, resulting in her death from bilateral pulmonary emboli.
Plaintiff Tammy Clements, independent administrator for the estate of Anna Boettcher, filed a lawsuit on April 4 in the Madison County Circuit Court against BJC Medical Group, doing business as Family Physicians of Alton, and it's employee Dr. Olusegun Coker, citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, before the time of her death, Boettcher was 75 years old and in good health. Boettcher was under a doctor's prescription to take Eliquis for atrial fibrillation. On Nov. 15, 2020, Boettcher had developed a nosebleed. The next day, she was treated by ENT Dr. Joel Franco, who performed a cauterization and took her off the prescribed Eliquis.
On Nov. 27 2020, Boettcher reportedly was suffering from pain in her right leg and had her daughter contact Family Physicians of Alton. Boettcher's daughter sent pictures of her leg, which was red and swollen, to Dr. Olusegun Coker, who was Boettcher's family physician.
On Nov. 30, 2020, Boettcher was admitted to the clinic to see Coker. According to the lawsuit, an ultrasound revealed that she was suffering occlusive thrombus and deep vein thrombosis. Coker sent Boettcher to Alton Memorial Hospital's Emergency Department, where they allegedly learned that she had been on Eliquis for two weeks as previously ordered by Franco.
The suit states that at this point, Boettcher's leg was extremely swollen and painful, but the Emergency Department physician allegedly dismissed her, told her to resume Eliquis and follow up with Coker.
According to the lawsuit, Boettcher returned to the clinic on Dec. 2, 2020. Her daughter communicated to Coker that she was concerned with her mother's condition. Coker allegedly did not take any further action and sent Boettcher home.
On Dec. 4, 2020, Boettcher reportedly had trouble breathing while eating dinner with her family and was taken to Alton Memorial Hospital's Emergency Department. She was seen and later transferred to Barnes Jewish Hospital, where an EEG allegedly revealed that she had poor neurological status.
On Dec. 6, 2020, Boettcher died from bilateral pulmonary emboli, according to the lawsuit.
The plaintiff alleges that the careless and negligent care by Coker led to Boettcher's suffering and eventual death and that her medical care has incurred expenses.
Clements is seeking damages in excess of $50,000. She is represented in this case by attorneys Edward W. Unsell of The Unsell Law Firm, P.C. in East Alton and Daniel F. Konicek of Konicek & Dillon, P.C. in Geneva, Ill.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2022LA000441