Morgantown woman sues WVU Medical Corp. for malpractice

MORGANTOWN -- A Monongalia County woman claims she suffered permanent injuries from a surgery that has rendered her right arm paralyzed.

Ashley B. Taylor of Morgantown is suing West Virginia University Medical Corporation and West Virginia University Board of Governors for medical malpractice and for a breach of their standard of care.

In the suit filed Dec. 29, Taylor says she injured her right elbow and had a fracture of her ulna, the larger bone of the forearm and opposite of the thumb. The injury required surgery to correct the fracture.

Filed by attorney William L. Frame, the suit details WVU BOG and WVU Medical Corp.'s inability to safely treat Taylor. The surgeon, who is unnamed in the suit, failed to protect Taylor's ulnar nerve, and, because of this, the nerve was seriously damaged. Taylor now has seriously limited use -- if not complete loss of use -- of her right hand and arm. The surgeon and other medical staff who helped with her pre-operation and post-operation care are all placed at WVU Medical Corp. by WVU BOG.

Frame also believes WVU Medical Corp. breached its standard of care because of the surgeon and staff's inability to treat Taylor's injury correctly. Now, Taylor has a severe and permanent injury that she says has made her unable to enjoy her life.

Taylor is seeking damages because of the scarring of her arm, atrophy of her arm, her general disfigurement, the loss of her ability to participate in everyday recreation and activity, motor and sensory deficits, her mental anguish, and her medical bills.

She is hoping for a trial by a jury to decide the amount of compensation for all her injuries and problems and for her attorney's fees and court costs to also be covered by the judgment.

Monongalia County Circuit Court case number: 05-C-764