Lung biopsy resulted in man's death, lawsuit alleges

CHARLESTON – The family of a Kanawha County man is suing over claims a lung biopsy led to his death.

Christine Lawrence, administratrix of the estate of Rondall L. Lawrence, Jr., filed a lawsuit Sept. 15 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Charleston Area Medical Center Inc., the West Virginia University Board of Governors, Dr. John Deel, and Dr. Robby Keith, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Rondall Lawrence was admitted to Charleston Area Medical Center on April 16, 2012, with a history of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pulmonary fibrosis and atrial fibrillation.

The complaint states the defendant doctors negligently recommended a lung biopsy to determine if there was cancer on Lawrence's lungs.

According to the lawsuit, the procedure was performed May 1, 2012, and resulted in respiratory failure, subcutaneous emphysema, renal failure and, ultimately, Lawrence's death on Oct. 20, 2012. The defendants are accused of negligence.

Christine Lawrence seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

She is represented by attorney Richard D. Lindsay of Tabor Lindsay and Associates in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Tod J. Kaufman.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 14-C-1705