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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Man blames St. Francis for foreign object in arm

CHARLESTON -- A Charleston man is suing St. Francis Hospital after a foreign body was found in his arm.

Charleston Hospital Inc. is doing business as St. Francis Hospital

While hospitalized as St. Francis, Ronald L. Neal received intravenous antibiotics and fluids via peripheral intravenous access, according to a complaint filed Feb. 24 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Neal claims immediately prior to his discharge from the hospital on Feb. 24, 2010, a registered nurse removed a med lock IV.

After arriving home, Neal picked up a coffee cup and felt a "sharp sensation like sticking with a needle" in his left forearm, according to the suit.

Neal claims the following day he contacted the defendant and was told to remain at home rather than "going to the ER and sitting for hours."

On Feb. 26, 2010, Neal went to CAMC Women and Children's Hospital and obtained an x-ray where it was discovered that there was a foreign body in his arm, according to the suit.

Neal claims a surgeon removed the foreign body later that day and following its removal, he continued to feel the same sensation in his left forearm as well as a numb sensation and feelings of a scratch or a cut.

As a result of the defendant's negligence, Neal suffered a loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages and extreme pain and suffering, according to the suit.

Neal claims leaving the foreign body in the arm of a patient deviated from the applicable standard of care.

In leaving the foreign body in Neal's forearm, the defendant caused Neal to endure serious emotional distress; anxiety; sleep disturbance; pain and discomfort; and elevated concern for body functioning, according to the suit.

Neal is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Barbara L. Utt.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-363

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