Woman says Charleston physician caused son's death

CHARLESTON - A woman is suing a Charleston physician she claims caused her son's death.

On Jan. 11, at approximately 9:23 a.m., Thomas Allen was seen in the Emergency Room of Charleston Area Medical Center, complaining of a sore throat, congestion and post-nasal drainage and discharged, according to a complaint filed June 7 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Evelyn J. Allen claims he returned to the Emergency Room of CAMC later than day at 3:38 p.m., complaining that he could not swallow and an x-ray of the neck was ordered.

The x-ray showed a throat abscess or edema, according to the suit, and intubation was attempted at 5:37 p.m. and an emergent criothyroidotomy was attempted, but failed.

Evelyn Allen claims Thomas Allen was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m. and the State Medical Examiner's office found that he died due to a laryngeal occlusion due to laryngeal edema.

Dr. Edward Wright  negligently, willfully and wantonly or with a reckless disregard of risk of harm to Thomas Allen, caused his death, according to the suit.

Evelyn Allen claims Wright failed to timely diagnose Thomas Allen's condition and was otherwise negligent.

The defendant's negligence, carelessness, recklessness and deviation from the appropriate standard of care resulted in Thomas Allen's death, according to the suit.

Evelyn Allen is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Richard D. Lindsay and Richard D. Lindsay II of Tabor Lindsay & Associates.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-1096