BELLEVILLE – A woman has filed a lawsuit against Advanced Ankle and Foot Surgeons, alleging the nerves in her ankle were severed during surgery to remove a cyst.
Plaintiff Michelle Johnson filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Bryan Guignon, D.P.M. and Advanced Ankle and Foot Surgeons, LLC., citing negligence and carelessness.
According to the lawsuit, Johnson was referred to the defendants for medical services for ankle pain and numbness. Guignon allegedly diagnosed Johnson with a cyst and performed surgery to remove it on April 15, 2021. Johnson states that after the surgery, she followed up with the defendants, complaining of pain, numbness and electrical shock sensations in her foot.
The defendants allegedly referred Johnson to Dr. Susan Mackinnon at Washington University for potential surgery and grafting. On May 11, while performing surgery of Johnson's injury, Mackinnon allegedly determined that the nerves in Johnson's ankle had been completely severed by Guignon's surgery, the suit states.
Johnson claims she has had to undergo extensive medical treatment to correct the damage done by Guignon's surgery.
The lawsuit states that the defendants negligently failed to provide proper medical care, carelessly attempted to remove a cyst and negligently failed to recognize the damage inflicted by Guignon's surgery.
Johnson alleges she has endured severe and permanent injuries, which have caused her to experience disability, disfigurement, pain, suffering, mental anguish and lost wages. She alleges her injuries will impact her ability to enjoy normal life and earn income in the future. She adds that she has incurred significant medical expenses and will continue to require the services of medical staff to recover.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by attorney Daniel C. Katzman of Katzman & Sugden, LLC in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23LA0406