Wyoming Co. man blames St. Mary's for dehydration, renal failure

HUNTINGTON -- A Wyoming County man is suing St. Mary's Medical Center for failing to provide him with adequate anesthesia services and/or adequate post-operative care while he was a patient.

Cardiac Anesthesia Plus,Inc., was also named as a defendant in the suit.

James O'Neal was a patient of the defendants and while he was at the hospital, the defendants' negligence resulted in dehydration and/or acute renal failure and chronic renal dysfunction, according to a complaint filed March 16 in Cabell Circuit Court.

O'Neal claims at various times, both Stanislav Stritz and Dr. Mark Newfield provided treatment to him as a function of their association and agency with Cardiac Anesthesia Plus and deprived him of a meaningful understanding and opportunity to consider anesthesia and the consequences.

As a result of the defendants' breaches, O'Neal suffered from acute renal failure; was required to undergo dialysis; has permanent renal dysfunction; and has experienced increased medical expenses; pain and suffering; emotional distress; loss of wages and earning capacity; and was otherwise harmed and damaged, according to the suit.

O'Neal claims he will also incur future medical expenses for kidney management and treatment and now carries a significantly increased risk attendant with routine and future surgical procedures.

O'Neal is seeking compensatory damages. He is being represented by Timothy P. Lupardus.

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

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 12-C-172