Woman sues two Charleston physicians for malpractice

CHARLESTON -- A woman is suing two Charleston physicians after multiple surgeries left her without the use of her hands.

On Jan. 3, 2008, Carolyn Sue Crawford underwent an EMG and nerve conduction study of her upper extremities, according to a complaint filed Nov. 3 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Crawford claims the studies were improperly performed and interpreted by Dr. Iraj Derakhshan, a neurologist. Derakhshan diagnosed her with carpal tunnel syndrome and referred her to Dr. Augusto Portillo, a plastic surgeon, for corrective surgery.

Portillo performed the corrective surgery on Crawford in June 2008. Crawford claims she lost the use of both of her hands following the surgery.

Crawford claims she was never informed that the corrective surgeries would result in the effective loss of her hands.

According to the suit, Derakhshan and Portillo acted negligently, carelessly and with reckless disregard of the risk of harm to Crawford.

Crawford claims she has sustained bodily injuries, both temporary and permanent; suffered and will continue to suffer physical pain and mental anguish; sustained and will continue to sustain disfigurement and deformities; incurred and will incur expenses from doctors, institutional care, hospital care, nursing care, medicine, equipment and related items of services; suffered a lessening or diminution of her earning capacity; sustained and will incur humiliation and embarrassment; and suffered and will continue to suffer impairment of her capacity to enjoy life.

She is suing for compensatory and punitive damages. Richard D. Lindsay II and Dr. Richard D. Lindsay of Tabor Lindsay & Associates are representing her.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-2056