WINFIELD – The parents of a child who is now in a vegetative state are suing Teays Pediatrics for their son's injuries.
Stallamb PLLC is doing business as Teays Pediatrics.
Dr. Ann Lambernedis was also named as a defendant in the suit.
On May 6, 2003, Gabriel Griffith was born a healthy child and received pediatric care from the defendants throughout his young life, according to a complaint filed Feb. 12 in Putnam Circuit Court.
Tabitha Griffith and Carl Griffith claim on Dec. 13, 2010, their son presented to the defendants with complaints of vomiting over the last weekend and the defendants failed to conclusively diagnose the cause of the vomiting or take his pulse during the visit.
On Dec. 16 and Dec. 23, 2010, there were multiple calls placed by the Griffiths to the defendants regarding their son's vomiting and on Dec. 27, 2010, Gabriel Griffith returned to the defendants because he was still vomiting, which they failed to diagnose the cause, according to the suit.
The Griffiths claim on July 18, 2011, they took him to the defendants again for vomiting and, while they failed to diagnose the cause of the vomiting, his pulse was recorded as being 100.
On July 26, 2011, Gabriel Griffith was referred to a gastroenterologist and his appointment was for the following week. At that appointment, his pulse was recorded as over 190 and he was transferred to Cabell Huntington Hospital, where he was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia.
Gabriel Griffith's SVT did not resolve with medication and arrangements were made to transfer him to Ohio State, however, prior to transfer and during an attempt to intubate him, he arrested and is in a permanent vegetative state.
The defendants' negligence, carelessness and recklessness caused Gabriel Griffith to suffer a cardiac arrest resulting in significant and permanent hypoxic injury, according to the suit.
The Griffiths claim the defendants violated the applicable standard of care.
The Griffiths are seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by Richard D. Lindsay and Dr. Richard D. Lindsay of Tabor Lindsay & Associates.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Joseph Reeder.
Putnam Circuit Court case number: 15-C-32