Widower sues St. Mary's Medical Center for wife's death

HUNTINGTON -- A widower is suing St. Mary's Medical Center after he claims the hospital is responsible for his wife's death.

On May 26, 2010, Sheila K. Holston was admitted to St. Mary's for a right hip total arthroplasty, according to a complaint filed Nov. 10 in Cabell Circuit Court.

William J. Holston Sr. claims during his wife's admission, she suffered a skin break down and pressure ulcers.

St. Mary's failed to provide adequate care plans for skin issues and would care and failed to monitor Sheila Holston for the skin breakdown, according to the suit.

William Holston claims on June 26, 2010, his wife was discharged from St. Mary's and transferred to Cornerstone for the purposes of receiving additional health care services.

Upon admission to Cornerstone, Sheila Holston was documented as having the skin breakdown, according to the suit.

William Holston claims the defendant's negligence and carelessness contributed to Sheila Holston's injuries, resulting in pain and ultimately, her death on July 9, 2010.

The defendant breached its duty to act with reasonable care during the course of Sheila Holston's admission to St. Mary's, according to the suit.

William Holston is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Andrew L. Paternostro, Sprague W. Hazard and Jeff D. Stewart.

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

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 11-C-851