Ohio man, daughter want medical bills covered

HUNTINGTON - A Chillicothe, Ohio, man and his daughter, a West Virginia resident, have filed a suit against 13 companies, including Steel of West Virginia and St. Mary's Medical Center, seeking to have more than $185,000 in medical bills covered.

Danny Fischer of Chillicothe and Brittaney Fischer of Ceredo filed a suit against Steel of West Virginia and the Employee Health Care Plan, as well as The Ohio State University Medical Center Service Board, which operates The Ohio State University Hospital.

According to the suit, filed Dec. 17 in Cabell Circuit Court, Brittaney Fischer was the passenger of a van when the driver lost control Jan. 26, 2006, in Chillicothe. She sustained extensive and permanent injuries and was transported by helicopter to OSUH.

Due to her injuries, Brittaney Fischer received treatment from the surgery department, rehabilitation center, radiology and otolaryngology departments, as well as St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington. She incurred medical charges of at least $185,000.

Danny Fischer is employed by SWVA and has insurance through the Employee Health Care Plan, under which his daughter is covered.

After his daughter's accident, Fischer submitted claims for the services she had, including those at OSUH.

"At some point in 2006, the Plan denied Danny Fischer's claim for benefits for Brittaney Fischer," the suit says.

According to the suit, the insurance has not paid any medical expenses from the accident, because of the blame of a third party. Danny Fischer claims he has exhausted all appeals and administrative review procedures.

In the three-count suit, Danny and Brittaney Fischer seek compensatory damages for their losses and court costs.

Attorney Jeffery V. Mehalic is representing the Fischers. The case has been assigned to Judge John L. Cummings.

Cabell Circuit Court case number 07-C-1100