Couple blame physician for delay in cancer treatment

WINFIELD – A Putnam County couple are suing a Scott Depot physician they claim was negligent in his care and caused a delay in cancer treatments.

Dr. James A. Akins was engaged in the care, management and treatment of Charles H. Hancock between 2005 and 2012, according to a complaint filed Jan. 23 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Hancock claims Akins was negligent and/or careless in that he deviated from the accepted standards of care and skill and/or failed to follow and apply accepted and customary medical standards of care and skill.

Akins failed to perform procedures in a proper, careful and customary manner with the customary and necessary medical staff in attendance, according to the suit.

Hancock claims Akins also failed to timely and adequately diagnose, treat and otherwise care for his condition and/or misdiagnosed his condition, which resulted in serious injury.

As a result of Akins’ negligence, Hancock suffered cancer and a delay in treatment of his cancer, according to the suit.

Hancock claims the defendant’s actions violate West Virginia code.

Donna Hancock suffered a loss of spousal consortium because of Akins’ negligence, according to the suit.

The Hancocks are seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by Sprague W. Hazard.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Phillip Stowers.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 13-C-19