Mother says Roane General Hospital, surgeon responsible for daughter's death

CHARLESTON - An Arnoldsburg woman is suing Roane General Hospital for the death of her daughter after she had gall bladder surgery.

Dr. Hong-Kin Ng was also named as a defendant in the suit.

Hospital Development Co. is doing business as Roane General Hospital.

On Nov. 9, 2011, Ng performed gall bladder surgery on Cecile Brown at Roane General, according to a complaint filed March 21 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Sheila Brown claims Ng ordered Toradol, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, for Cecile Brown during the course of the treatment, which should not have been used.

That evening, Cecile Brown began to experience severe pain in her upper shoulder, was unable to lie flat and was reported to be panting at times, according to the suit.

Sheila Brown claims she telephoned the hospital around 9:45 p.m. to report the symptoms and spoke with a nurse, who offered telephone triage in an inadequate and negligent manner.

After there was still no improvement in her daughter's condition, Sheila Brown drove Cecile Brown to Roane General and, on the way, Cecile Brown became unconscious, according to the suit.

Sheila Brown claims she at approximately 2:15 a.m., Cecile Brown died as a result of post-operative bleeding.

The defendants had a duty to adequately monitor and assess Cecile Brown's post-surgical care and had a duty to prescribe medications and other treatment that were approved and accepted by the applicable medical governing standards of practice and care, according to the suit.

Sheila Brown claims the defendants breached their duty of care in the treatment of Cecile Brown by their failure to exercise the degree of care and skill of a reasonably prudent physician and medical facility.

As a result of the defendants' breach, medical treatment was delayed and Cecile Brown continued to bleed into her abdomen, resulting in her death, according to the suit.

Sheila Brown is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Frank Venezia and Benjamin M. Mishoe of Shaffer & Shaffer PLLC.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-539