Man says WVU hospital to blame for mother's death

MORGANTOWN - A Pennsylvania man has filed a wrongful death suit against West Virginia University Medical Corporation on behalf of his mother, who died while under the care of the university medical staff.

Robert Pritchard filed a suit March 16 in Monongalia Circuit Court as the personal representative of his mother, Minnie Pritchard. The defendants in the lawsuit are West Virginia University Medical Corporation, doing business as University Health Associates, and West Virginia University Board of Governors.

Minnie Pritchard was a patient at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown on Nov. 18, 2004. Her condition included a cardiac condition known as a pericardial effusion. The suit says she was a candidate for a procedure known as a pericardial window, but at no time did anyone ever perform one or any other interventions.

As a result of the acts or omissions of the medical staff, Pritchard's condition worsened, and she died on Dec. 21, 2004.

The suit says the medical staff fell below the applicable standard of care in their treatment and subsequently caused Pritchard's deterioration and death.

Robert Pritchard, though his counsel Daniel McCune, seeks to be fully compensated for the damages his mother sustained, as well as wrongful death damages.

Monongalia Circuit Court case number 07-C-170