Kanawha couple sues hospital for injuries

CHARLESTON -- A Kanawha County couple is suing Thomas Health System after they claim it caused injuries.

Thomas Health System is doing business as St. Francis Hospital.

On Nov. 17, 2009, Margaret Marrash was visiting her husband, David Marrash, who was hospitalized at St. Francis, when she lost consciousness, collapsed on the floor and was taken to the emergency department, according to a complaint filed Oct. 13 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Mrs. Marrash claims she was evaluated by a nurse, but was not evaluated by a physician until more than four hours later. She claims it was diagnosed that she had an ischemic stroke, but that as a result of the delay in diagnosis, thrombolytic treatment was not considered.

The plaintiff "did not receive adequate information regarding treatment options during the evening and latter part of the night ... defendant failed to advise plaintiff of the option of thrombolytic treatment of her stroke, or the fact that a delay in diagnosis and treatment could jeopardize and/or limit her treatment options," according to the suit.

Mrs. Marrash claims the defendant failed to timely and adequately assess her situation and negligently failed to properly and appropriately advise her.

The couple is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by Richard D. Lindsay.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Tod J. Kaufman.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 10-C-1818