Man sues state over mental disorder

CHARLESTON -- A man is suing the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, claiming that staff a state mental facility in Weston did not monitor his illness that compelled him to ingest foreign objects.

Dustin Martin filed a lawsuit in Kanawha Circuit Court on May 15.

Martin claims he was a patient at William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital on May 15, 2007.

Martin claims he suffers from Pica, a disorder characterized by the compulsion to ingest foreign objects.

He says that during his stay at the hospital, he was not properly supervised and ingested plastic bags, two pennies, a nickel, a "AA" battery, a cardboard and metallic wrapper.

Martin claims these items had to be surgically removed. He's seeking compensatory damages and legal costs.

Larry O. Ford is representing the plaintiff. The case is before Kanawha Circuit Judge Charles King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-919