Alleged misconduct by nurse results in suit against PVH

POINT PLEASANT – A physical altercation between a patient and a nurse at a Mason County hospital has led to a lawsuit against both.

Pleasant Valley Hospital is named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit filed by Michael Ray Coughenour. In his suit filed Nov. 18, Coughenour, 57, of Gallipolis, Ohio, alleged he was battered by a PVH nurse when he caught her stealing his medication following his stay in the emergency room two years ago.

According to his suit, Coughenour sought emergency treatment at PVH on Nov. 18, 2010. The reason why is not stated.

Nevertheless, he was admitted and stayed the night.

At a time not specified on Nov. 18, Coughenour suffered drug withdraw symptoms due to what he believed as a failure to receive his nightly pain medication. At a time not specified, he reported the matter to the head nurse.

Sometime in the morning of Nov. 19, Coughenour caught a nurse "attempting to steal his pain medication." When confronted, Coughenour alleges the nurse grabbed his hand where his IV was located, and closed the bathroom door on his foot.

As a result of the alteration, Coughenour alleges he suffered not only "pain and physical injury," but also "extreme emotional distress." In his suit he makes claims against PVH, the head nurse and nurse, indentified only as John/Jane Does 1 and 2, for battery, negligence, negligent supervision and intentional or reckless infliction of emotional distress.

Coughenour seeks unspecified damages, interest, court costs and attorney fees. He is represented by Gallipolis attorney Michael Eachus.

The case is assigned to Judge David W. Nibert.

Mason Circuit Court case number 11-C-133