HUNTINGTON – A woman and her husband have filed suit against St. Mary's Hospital of Huntington, alleging the woman's surgery intended to help heal her tendonitis led to third-degree burns.
Patricia A. and Harold Hatfield claim Patricia Hatfield was admitted to St. Mary's on April 25, 2007, to undergo a left shoulder arthroscopic subacromial decompression and left distal clavicle partial resection, which were intended to repair her tendonitis and inflammation.
"That on or about the 25th day of April 2007, the defendant by and through its agents, servants and employees negligently and carelessly used electrocautery equipment during her surgery and as a direct and proximate result of the said negligence, the plaintiff Patricia Hatfield suffered third degree burns to her abdomen and pelvic area," the suit filed July 27 in Cabell Circuit Court states.
Because of her injuries, Patricia Hatfield claims she incurred medical costs of about $1,000. She also incurred permanent scarring and disfigurement, experienced severe pain and suffering, great mental and emotional anxiety and discomfort and an impaired capacity to enjoy a natural and fruitful life, the suit states.
Harold Hatfield has been deprived of his wife's society, companionship, consortium and services, the complaint says.
The Hatfields are seeking unspecified damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest and actual costs.
Frank M. Armada of Hurricane will be representing them.
The case has been assigned to Cabell Circuit Judge David M. Pancake.
Cabell Circuit Court case number: 09-C-629
