Mason doctor failed to detect tumor, diabetes, suit alleges

POINT PLEASANT – A Mason County man is accusing his physician of failing to take the necessary steps to detect his diabetes.

James Morrow on May 10 filed a medical malpractice suit against Dr. Harold E. Ayers in Mason Circuit Court. In his complaint, Morrow, 76, alleges Ayers did not detect both a pituitary tumor, and diabetes.

According to his suit, Morrow was Ayers' patient in May 2004. The suit does not specify if Morrow was a first-time or regular patient.

However, three years later, Morrow maintains he was informed of a pituitary tumor. The suit does not specify if Ayers or another physician detected it.

Nevertheless, he alleges Ayers should have detected it in 2004, and then referred him to an endocrinologist. The detection and referral, Morrow alleges, could have enabled him to fend off diabetes.

As a result, Morrow alleges he has incurred "great pain, suffering, mental anguish and permanent injury to his body." In his suit, Morrow names Pleasant Valley Hospital as a co-defendant.

Morrow seeks unspecified damages, and interest. He is represented by R. R. Fredeking II, Paul Biser and William D. Thompson with the Fredeking and Fredeking Law Offices in Huntington.

The case is assigned to Judge David W. Nibert.

Mason Circuit Court case number 11-C-51