Woman sues St. Mary's Medical Center for wrongful death

HUNTINGTON -- A Jackson County woman is suing St. Mary's Medical Center for her husband's wrongful death.

Dr. Kenneth M. Fink and Kenneth M. Fink, M.D., Inc., were also named as defendants in the suit.

On May 25, 2009, Robert Harold Adkins was admitted to the mental health unit at St. Mary's Medical Center under Fink's care, according to a complaint filed July 25 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Traci Adkins claims prior to admission, Robert Harold Adkins had demonstrated suicidal tendencies and had attempted suicide and that he suffered from severe depression.

After admission to the hospital, Robert Harold Adkins' mental condition continued to deteriorate significantly and on June 3, 2009, after being left unattended and unmonitored, he fashioned a noose out of bed linens and hanged himself in the bathroom doorway of his hospital room, according to the suit.

Traci Adkins claims the defendants breached their duty of care by failing to monitor Robert Harold Adkins.

The defendants also deviated from the applicable and accepted standard of care in evaluating Robert Harold Adkins' condition by failing to develop an adequate treatment program and by not ordering sufficient supervision, according to the suit.

Traci Adkins is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by James I. Stealy and J. Michael Benninger.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David M. Pancake.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 11-C-524