Man files $200,000 malpractice case against Thomas Memorial doctor

CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County man has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against a physician at Thomas Memorial Hospital, seeking more than $200,000 in medical expenses.

Hugh C. Christy filed a suit against Paul D. Kyer III, M.D., on May 14 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

According to the lawsuit, Christy was admitted to Thomas Memorial on May 24, 2006, and was treated for chronic diverticulitis. Kyer performed an elective sigmoid resection by laparoscopic means.

Christy was released on May 28, 2006. However, on June 2, 2006, he went to the emergency room, complaining of severe abdominal pain. He was admitted and a CT scan revealed a free intraperitoneal error.

He was taken back to surgery with Kyer on June 6. For several weeks, Christy had significant pain in his abdomen. He was transferred to Putnam General Hospital, where Dr. Leonard Fichter performed an emergency surgery.

According to the lawsuit, between May 24 and June 25, 2006, Christy claims he was treated improperly by Kyer, who deviated from the normal standard of care.

Christy underwent several hospitalizations and surgeries, which included the essential loss of his entire digestive tract; suffered from sepsis, peritonitis and infection; currently suffers from severe discomfort and related problems in his digestive and bowel tract; and is unable to eat and maintain food.

Christy claims in the suit that he incurred more than $200,000 in medical bills, and has suffered a significant loss of the capacity to enjoy life.

Christy, through attorney Robert V. Berthold Jr., seeks compensation for his injuries, and any other relief the court deems necessary.

The case has been assigned to Judge Charles King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-940