Wayne Co. woman accuses rehabilitation center of negligence

HUNTINGTON -- A Wayne County woman is suing a rehabilitation center after she claims it was negligent in caring for her.

The rehabilitation center, Rebound LLC, is doing business as HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Huntington. HealthSouth Corporation is also named as a defendant in the suit.

On April 20, 2010, Gnuenell Sutfin was admitted to the defendants for the purposes of rehabilitation, according to a complaint filed Nov. 21 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Sutfin claims she remained with the defendants until May 4, 2010.

During her admission, the defendants failed to provide Sutfin with the necessary care and services to decrease her risk of infection; failed to identify obvious signs and symptoms of infection to right hip surgical wound site and provide care according to the standard of care to those areas where they exhibited signs of infection; and failed to initiate wound care and preventative skin care to blisters observed on top of her feet, according to the suit.

Sutfin claims the defendants' negligence and carelessness of the professionals and non-professionals at HealthSouth Rehabilitation contributed substantially in causing serious injuries to her.

The defendants' negligence also caused Sutfin bodily injuries, resulting in pain and suffering; mental anguish; inconvenience; physical impairment; loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life; aggravation of existing diseases and physical defects; and incurred medical expenses, according to the suit.

Sutfin is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She 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-875