Doctor sued over misdiagnosis that led to death

CHARLESTON - The estate of an Elkview woman is suing her former doctor, claiming he misdiagnosed her severe problems as hemorrhoids.

John Myers, acting individually and as the administrator of Diana Myers' estate, filed the lawsuit May 26 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Dr. Adla Adi.

It contends that Diana Myers's diabetes was out of control during the period when Adi was her physician from Jan. 27 to April 13, 2004.

It also states that her septicemia (blood poisoning) and necrotizing fasciitis (a flesh-eating bacteria) were wrongly diagnosed as a hemorrhoid problem.

"Defendant failed to appreciate the nature and extent of the septicemia and necrotizing fasciitis of the right lower back, right buttock and right posterior thigh that Ms. Myers was suffering from, having misdiagnosed the same as hemorrhoids," the complaint says.

Myers died May 27, 2004, six weeks after terminating Adi as her physician, the lawsuit says.

"Diana Myers died as a result of the care, management and treatment, or lack thereof," it adds.

John Myers is suing for negligence, medical professional liability and death by wrongful act, as well as a claim for punitive damages. He is also seeking compensatory damages.

The case file includes a screening certificate of merit from Dr. John G. O'Handley, a board-certified family practice physician from Ohio who qualifies as an expert under the West Virginia Rules of Evidence.

His letter states that "her condition warranted continued hospitalization when Ms. Myers was discharged and that Dr. Adi failed to order adequate cultures of the affected area.

Letisha R. Bika is representing the plaintiff.

Judge Tod Kaufman has been assigned the case.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 06-C-1019