Man says Cabell Huntington, doctor to blame for wife's death

HUNTINGTON -- A man is suing Cabell Huntington Hospital and a physician he claims are responsible for his wife's death.

Julie Lucas was a patient of Dr. Paul S. Lee and Cabell Huntington Hospital, according to a complaint filed Dec. 30 in Cabell Circuit Court.

David Lucas claims on Aug. 19, 2010, the defendants were negligent, careless and deviated from the applicable standard of care.

The defendants failed to appreciate the significance of the patient's continued complaints of nausea and vomiting after the delivery of her baby; failed to report the continued nausea and vomiting to the patient's attending physician in a timely manner; failed to appreciate the significant of the patient's hypoactive bowel sounds after delivery; failed to report the patient's hypoactive bowel sounds to her attending physician in a timely manner; failed to obtain a surgical consult in a timely fashion; and failed to consider bowel obstruction and internal hernia, according to the suit.

David Lucas claims as a result of the defendants' negligence, Julie Lucas was forced to endure mental and physical pain and suffering.

Julie Lucas died on Aug. 19, 2010, as a result of the defendants' negligence, recklessness and carelessness, according to the suit.

David Lucas is seeking compensatory damages. He is being represented by William S. Druckman and Madonna C. Estep.

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

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 11-C-961