Dunbar man says MRSA infection will shorten his life

CHARELSTON - A Kanawha County man has filed a suit against a local hospital, claiming he has a shortened life expectancy after he developed a staph infection after bypass surgery.

Gerald George of Dunbar filed the medical malpractice suit Nov. 14 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Charleston Area Medical Center. Kelly George, his wife, is also named as a plaintiff.

According to the suit, Gerald George was admitted to CAMC on Aug. 31, 2005. He underwent a coronary artery bypass Sept. 6.

"Gerlad George's condition deteriorated and he was diagnosed on Sept. 23, 2005, as being positive for MRSA infection," the suit says.

MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a disease usually caused by bacteria found on the skin.

The suit says Gibson's infection was likely due to the indwelling line.

George claims the hospital is negligent and careless in failing to prevent George from contracting a MRSA infection, leading to a prolonged and debilitating hospital stay and permanent injury, the suit says.

George claims he suffered temporary and permanent injuries, disfigurement and deformities. He also claims he incurred, and will incur, expenses for doctors, institutional care, hospital care, nursing care, medicine, equipment and related items of service.

According to the suit, George claims he has also sustained a shortened life expectancy.

Kelly George claims she has sustained great and irreparable loss of comfort, society, convenience and consortium from her husband.

Gerald and Kelly George, through attorney Richard D. Lindsay, seek compensatory damages, as allowed under the Medical Professional Liability Act.

The case has been assigned to Judge Paul Zakaib.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-2460