CHARLESTON -- An Iaeger woman is suing Cabell Huntington Hospital, University Urological Associates and a physician after she claims they are responsible for her husband's death.
The Marshall University Board of Governors was also named as a defendant in the suit.
On Sept. 27, 2007, Jimmy Dean Edwards was taken to Logan General Hospital due to a work-related injury, at which time a large mass was discovered in his left adrenal gland and left kidney, according to a complaint filed April 5 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Edwards' wife, Mary Edwards, claims her husband was referred to Dr. James C. Jensen at University Urological Associates and was seen by him the following day.
Jensen determined the tumor was likely a non-malignant adrenal tumor, according to the suit, and on Dec. 3, 2007, Mr. Edwards presented to Cabell Huntington Hospital where Jensen attempted a laparoscopic adrenalectomy that was unsuccessful. Jensen then removed Mr. Edwards' mass by open adrenalectomy.
Mrs. Edwards claims her late husband was given Toradol, Morphine and Methadone in addition to and in combination with other medications after the operation.
On Dec. 5, 2007, at approximately 4:34 a.m., Mr. Edwards had a blood pressure of 102/55 and a heart rate of 123, but Jensen, nor any other physician, was notified by the other staff. At approximately 6:50 a.m., the defendants' employees discovered Mr. Edwards lying in his bed, not breathing, at which time his oxygen saturation was noted as 47 percent and his skin color was blue, according to the suit.
Mrs. Edwards claims following his respiratory collapse, Mr. Edwards was diagnosed with anoxic brain injury and died Dec. 12, 2007, after being taken off of life support.
The defendants failed to provide appropriate pain management to Mr. Edwards and failed to timely and appropriately monitor him, according to the suit.
Mrs. Edwards is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by William L. Mundy and Timothy L. Eves.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib Jr.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-552
Woman sues Cabell Huntington Hospital, others for husband's death
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