CHARLESTON – A couple are suing Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority for negligence.
On Jan. 5, 2013, Mia Huffman awakened at home a little after 5 a.m. and spoke with her husband, Mark Huffman, who then went to another part of the house for a few minutes and returned to the bedroom at approximately 5:20 a.m. to find Mia Huffman slumped over in bed, with left-side weakness and numbness and impaired speech, according to a complaint filed March 24 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Mark Huffman claims he called 911 for an ambulance and the defendant responded and took Mia Huffman to Thomas Memorial Hospital, where she arrived at approximately 6 a.m.
Mia Huffman's stroke was improperly diagnosed and treated at the hospital and she was left with severe permanent neurological injuries, according to the suit.
The Huffmans claims the defendant breached its applicable standard of care in the care and treatment rendered to Mia Huffman.
The defendant failed to direct and deliver Mia Huffman to Charleston Area Medical Center, the only accredited Primary Stroke Center in the area, according to the suit.
The Huffmans claim Mia Huffman sustained bodily injures; physical pain and mental anguish; disfigurement and deformities; incurred medical expenses; suffered lost wages and loss of earning capacity; sustained humiliation and embarrassment; and an impairment of her capacity to enjoy life.
The defendant's actions were willful, wanton, careless and/or with reckless disregard, according to the suit.
The Huffmans are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. They are being represented by Richard D. Lindsay and Matthew C. Lindsay of Tabor Lindsay & Associates.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 15-C-581
