Greenbrier medical center, doctor named in federal suit

RONCEVERTE -- A West Virginia woman has filed a federal lawsuit in against Greenbrier Valley Medical Center and one of its doctors after she suffered cardiac complications and infection.

Amy Martin was admitted to GVMC on April 29, 2006. On May 13, she began running a fever with discomfort and drainage around an I.V. site. However, her fever got much worse, and on May 20, she was in septic shock. At that point, GVMC transferred her to the University of Virginia.

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia by Richard and Matthew Lindsay of the Charleston firm of Tabor Lindsay & Associates, the suit states that Martin's fever was not investigated adequately, and GVMC acted negligently.

Apparently, Dr. Richard B. Boone and his employees failed to check the I.V. site and did not evaluate the fever by ordering blood wound cultures.

Martin suffered cardiac and other complications of septic shock, all of which prolonged her hospital stay, but also caused severe, permanent, and irreversible injury. She sustained temporary and permanent bodily injuries, suffered and continues to suffer from physical pain, mental anguish, humiliation, disfigurement, and deformity. She has also incurred serious medical expenses, which she believes will continue.

Martin is seeking a trial by jury to award compensatory damages for economic and non-economic losses, including a shortened life expectancy and loss of earning capacity and ability to enjoy life, pre- and post-judgment interest, and allowable fees.