CHARLESTON – A Charleston couple is suing a doctor they claim he was negligent during and after surgery.
On June 29, 2009, Dr. Bruce B. Horswell performed an open reduction/internal fixation of mandibular fractures suffered by Raymond K. Barrett and during the course of the ORIF procedure, the sinus cavity was packed with one-quarter inch iodoform gauze impregnanted with bacitracin ointment and exited out through a nasal antrostomy and sutured to the outlying skin inside Barrett’s nose, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Barrett and his wife, Nancy Barrett, claim Raymond Barrett was discharged to return home on July 2, 2009, and was instructed to follow up in 10-14 days and he and his wife were specifically instructed to “leave packing in.”
On July 17, 2009, Raymond Barrett followed up with the defendant and it was then that the packing should have been removed pursuant to the prevailing standard of care and that was not done, according to the suit.
The Barretts claim instead, it was noted that Raymond Barrett was healing appropriately and was advised to follow up in six months or as needed.
In the months and years following the surgery Raymond Barrett has experienced recurring headaches, nasal discharge and pain in his sinus cavities that he attributed to sinus infections and sought treatment from his primary care physician, according to the suit.
The Barretts claim it was not until Raymond Barrett was evaluated by Dr. Michael Goins in August 2014 that the packing left in his nasal cavity was discovered and removed.
Following the removal of the packing, the headaches, sinus infections and pain and discharge have disappeared, according to the suit.
The Barretts claim the defendant was negligent in leaving the packing in Raymond Barrett’s sinus cavity.
Horswell’s actions violated West Virginia code and caused the plaintiffs injuries and damages, according to the suit.
The Barretts are seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by Mary E. Troy of Troy Law Firm.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Louis Bloom.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 15-C-2152