Blair
WINFIELD – A woman has sued a Putnam County plastic surgeon over a botched facial procedure and unwanted sexual advances.
Jane Culp filed the lawsuit Aug. 31 in Putnam Circuit Court against Paul A. Blair M.D.
In her complaint, Culp says Blair provided medical services to her from May 2004 to November 2005. Those services included a medical procedure called ThermalCool TC. That consists of the application of a computer-controlled radio frequency device which tightened her facial skin.
Culp says Blair told her she was a good candidate for the procedure and that any scabbing would dissipate during the natural healing process over five to 10 days. She says he also told her scarring was unlikely because of the heat delivered to the skin during the procedure.
Still, Culp says she "suffered extensive scabbing and scarring." And despite the scabbing and scarring, Culp says Blair continued the procedures, saying they were necessary "even though further scabbing and scarring occurred without healing any prior scars or scabbing."
In November 2005, Culp says she consulted with a dermatologist and plastic surgeons to consider remedies for her facial scabs and scars.
None "could advise a remedy other than complete invasive facial surgery," she contends.
Thus, Culp says, Blair failed to exercise the responsible and reasonable standard of care. This caused her humiliation, great pain and hardship of body and mind. She also says continues to suffer and that Blair's failure to offer a suitable remedy and his insistence on continuing the treatments was willful, wanton and reckless conduct.
Also, Culp claims Blair made "repeated sexual advances" on her during the time he was treating her. She says the last occurrence happened in November 2005.
"Plaintiff alleges that she was in a compromised position since Plaintiff was completely at the mercy of Defendant who controlled Plaintiff's recovery from Defendant's treatments of Plaintiff's facial skin," the complaint states.
Culp says Blair's "unsavory conduct" caused her much grief and distress.
According to his Web site, Blair is board certified in both facial plastic surgery and ear nose and throat surgery. Born and raised in West Virginia, the Air Force veteran and former Tulane faculty member received his undergraduate and medical degrees from West Virginia University.
Blair's site says he moved to Huntington in 1988, and moved his practice to Teays Valley, where he has a brand new office and state of the art facilities, in 2003.
Culp seeks to recover all economic losses she has suffered as well as non-economic losses including punitive damages, attorney fees and court costs. She also seeks damages for her grief over the sexual advances.
Culp, who is represented by Huntington attorney E. Dennis White Jr., requests a jury trial.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge O.C. "Hobby" Spaulding.
Putnam Circuit Court case number: 06-C-291