Suit says misdiagnoses left man incontinent, impotent

CHARLESTON - A Putnam County man has filed a medical malpractice suit against a local medical center and several physicians, after he was allegedly misdiagnosed several times, which ultimately left him incontinent and impotent.

Gregory Whited filed the suit March 12 in Kanawha Circuit Court, against Charleston Area Medical Center and Teays Valley Health Services, as well as physicians Sam Abdul, Daniel Trent and Jeffery Given.

According to the suit, Whited was seen in the emergency department of CAMC on Feb. 2, 2006, with complaints of severe back pain radiating down the lower extremities. He was seen by Given, who prescribed pelvic traction.

However, Whited again saw Given the next day for worsening back pain and was prescribed pelvic traction, among other things.

According to the suit, Whited went to the emergency department at Putnam General Hospital on Feb. 5, 2006, with complaints of severe radiating back pain and increased rectal pressure.

The ER record indicated Whited was inadequately evaluated and treated, the suit says.

Whited returned to the ER at Putnam General on Feb. 13, 2006, for severe back pain, numbness in both legs and incontinence of bowel and bladder.

According to the suit, Whited was seen by Dr. Crow for evaluation of severe disc herniation and was taken to surgery for emergency disc decompression.

Following the surgery, Whited remains incontinent of bladder, impotent and requires assistance of a cane for ambulation, the suit says.

In the two-count suit, Whited claims he sustained bodily injuries, physical and mental pain and suffering, disfigurement and deformities as well as medical bills.

Whited seeks compensatory and punitive damages to cover his injuries.

Attorney Richard D. Lindsay is representing Whited. The case has been assigned to Judge Irene Berger.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 08-C-482