Med mal suit filed over alleged botched treatment

MARTINSBURG - A Martinsburg woman says she suffered permanent injury as a result of the treatment she received at City Hospital in Martinsburg.

Sharon Moats and husband William filed the lawsuit Sept. 19 in Berkeley Circuit Court against City Hospital, West Virginia University Hospital-East, Inc., Shenandoah Valley Medical System and Gateway Regional Health System and doctors Courtney Struthers and Dawn Reed Jones.

Moats says she suffered permanent nerve damage to her leg after doctors removed an ulcer from her foot.

On June 10, 2004, she says the debridement of an ulcer on her left foot took place, but 10 days later she suffered a retroperitoneal bleed.

Bleeding is one of the side effects of the use of Lovenox, which is prescribed to prevent deep vein thrombosis to individuals who are at risk, such as those with severely restricted mobility. Moats says she was taking Lovenox.

On July 7, 2004, she was diagnosed with nerve damage that occurred because of the bleeding and six weeks later was transferred to a nursing home.

She says her doctors failed to properly evaluate her condition, carry out treatment and assist and monitor her.

She seeks more than $100,000 for injuries, mental anguish, embarrassment, humiliation, loss of earning capacity, medical bills and loss of the enjoyment of life.

Husband William says he has lost consortium with his wife and demands compensation.

The complaint says WVU Hospital-East owns and operates City Hospital, Gateway Regional owns WVU Hospital-East and Shenandoah Valley employed Struthers and Jones.

Barry Nace of Paulson and Nace in Washington, D.C., is representing the plaintiffs.

Judge David Sanders has been assigned the case.

Berkeley Circuit Court case number 06-C-683