Putnam woman files suit against surgeon

HUNTINGTON -- A Putnam County woman is suing a Huntington surgeon she claims caused her injuries during surgery.

On March 6, 2010, Dr. Waseem Shora admitted Mary R. Shepherd to Cabell Huntington Hospital to undergo a diagnostic colonoscopy, according to a complaint filed June 7 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Shepherd claims Shora negligently performed the procedure and caused her to sustain a perforation of her transverse colon, which permitted some of the contents of her colon to spill into her abdominal cavity and cause her to contract a massive infection for which she was readmitted to the hospital the same night as an emergency patient.

The defendant's negligence caused Shepherd to undergo additional surgical procedures and to sustain serious and permanent injuries in her gastrointestinal tract, according to the suit.

Shepherd claims the defendant's negligence caused her to incur medical and hospital expenses in a sum in excess of $210,000.

The defendant's actions also caused Shepherd to suffer discomfort and mental anguish and her capacity to enjoy, experience and live a natural, productive and fruitful life to be permanently impaired, according to the suit.

Shepherd is seeking compensatory damages with pre-judgment interest. She is being represented by Frank M. Armada.

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

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 12-C-366