Putnam couple sues CAMC for woman's injuries

WINFIELD -- A Putnam County couple is suing Charleston Area Medical Center for injuries sustained in the hospital.

Drs. Stephen M. Dillard, Harry L. Reahl, Michael G. Sitler, David Duke Burdette and Pamela Martin Phillips were also named as defendants in the suit.

On July 7, 2009, the defendants deviated from the applicable standard of care and were negligent and/or grossly negligent in regard to its care of Cheryl Stutler, according to a complaint filed Oct. 26 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Stutler claims the hospital failed to obtain either face-to-face or telephone consultation with a qualified neurologist for assistance and advice in the initial management of her care.

As a result of the defendants' negligence, Stutler was denied an opportunity to be timely and properly treated for her acute and evolving ischemic cerebrovascular accident, thereby denying her a greater than 25 percent change of a better outcome or cure, according to the suit.

Stutler claims the defendants caused her to suffer additional disability over and above that which she had previously experienced.

Stutler and her husband, Mark Stutler, are seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by Robert P. Welsh.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Phillip Stowers.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 11-C-306