Woman's estate sues over hot coffee

CHARLESTON - A recently filed lawsuit alleges a nurse gave a woman with muscular dystrophy in her hands a hot cup of coffee, which then spilled.

William R. Coles, the executor of Sharon Anderson's estate, is suing Thomas Memorial Hospital in a lawsuit filed May 30 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

The lawsuit says Anderson was handed a cappuccino on May 28, 2004, despite the fact she could not handle it and spilled it on herself.

"Upon admittance, it was noted that Sharon J. Anderson had diffuse muscle wasting involving both her upper and lower extremities, which were very weak, and all her fingers were contracted," the complaint says.

Anderson, the lawsuit says, requested a cappuccino from nurse Jennifer Brown and was burned by its contents.

"Sharon J. Anderson's right hip blistered and she was medicated in an attempt to reduce the pain from the severe burn," the complaint says.

Coles is suing for negligence and says Anderson incurred pain and suffering, medical expenses and mental anguish as a result.

He adds that Anderson was admitted to Thomas Memorial with breathing problems on May 27, 2004, with a history of muscular dystrophy, upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic pain syndrome, hepatitis C and respiratory arrest.

Anderson died April 26, 2005, at the age of 46.

Greg Lord of Lord, Lord and Layne in Charleston is the plaintiff's attorney.

Judge James Stucky has been assigned the case.