Inmate sues jail doctor over amputation

ST. MARYS – A jail inmate whose diabetes led to an infection and the loss of his leg has sued the jail doctor for alleged malpractice.

Clinton Ratliff filed a lawsuit Jan. 8 in Pleasants Circuit Court against Dr. Dionisio E. Policarpio of St. Marys Correctional Center and Wexford Health Sources Inc.

According to the complaint, in June 2013, Ratliff was diagnosed with cellulites and sepsis, and his leg wound was not healing. He later had the leg amputated below the knee, the suit states, and the doctor failed to treat his hyperglycemia early enough, and missed the early stages of his leg infection.

Ratliff seeks all damages allowable for the pain, discomfort and physical limitations the amputation has caused him, as well as attorney fees. He is represented by attorney Larry O. Ford of Meyer, Ford, Glasser & Radman in Charleston.

Pleasants Circuit Court case number: 15-C-2