Man sues medical providers, implant manufacturer over son's leg operation

The father of a boy who allegedly suffered limited mobility in his leg following an operation is accusing his son's medical providers and the manufacturer of an implant of negligence.

On behalf of his minor son, Kevin Bellas filed a lawsuit May 22 in Cook County Circuit Court against the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, doing business as University of Illinois Medical Center of Chicago and University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, seven doctors and Orthofix.

According to the complaint, Bellas' son underwent surgery on March 22, 2010 at U of I's medical center to have a femur implant installed after it was discovered that his right leg was approximately three inches shorter than his left leg.

Bellas claims several physicians treated his son with revision surgeries that took place between May 24, 2010 and Feb. 15, 2011. Despite the multiple surgeries, the suit alleges the boy has suffered residual discomfort and a limited range of mobility in the leg.

The defendants are accused of being negligent when performing Timothy's multiple surgeries to correct the defect. The suit also includes counts alleging breach of implied and express warranty and strict liability against Orthofix.

Bellas is seeking actual damages, special damages and punitive damages in an amount to be determined by the court. He is represented by attorneys James A. Karamanis and Kenneth A. Nazarian of Barney & Karamanis LLP.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L005359.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it represents only one side of the story.