ST. LOUIS - An Illinois veteran sued the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) after an alleged accident at the hospital barred him from ever living alone again, according to documents filed on Feb. 19 in St. Louis federal court.
Plaintiff Steen Roy Larson visited the VAMC in January 2020 and was admitted to the emergency room. Due to past medical conditions, Larson used a walker and had weakness in his right side. Consequentially, he was labeled as a fall risk at triage and the nurse noted that a wheelchair or walker should be used, the suit says.
A CAT scan was ordered as part of Larson's treatment, and a wheelchair was parked next to his exam bed, the suit says. The plaintiff was allegedly directed to get into the wheelchair and was not given any assistance.
Larson attempted to comply despite his weaknesses and being a fall risk; however, the wheelchair's wheels were not locked and when Larson grabbed the chair for support and stability he fell, fracturing his right femur among other injuries, the suit says.
According to the suit, VAMC employees present did not move to help plaintiff, instead instructing him again to lift himself up and get into the chair on his own.
Larson lived independently before the incident at VAMC; he says he has lost his independence due to the fall and will require additional care for basic life needs for the rest of his life.
The plaintiff is seeking judgment from the court for losses and damages deemed appropriate. He is represented by the Law Offices of David N. Damick.