Woman sues Integrated Health Care Providers for medical negligence

CHARLESTON - A woman is suing Integrated Health Care Providers for injuries she allegedly suffered in surgery.

Integrated Health Care Providers Inc. is doing business as CAMC Physicians Group.

CAMC Health System Inc. and Dr. William A. Wood were also named as defendants in the suit.

Kimberly Varney was originally diagnosed with right breast ductal carcinoma by biopsy performed Jan. 25, 2011 and she underwent a bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction by the defendants on Feb. 25, 2011, according to a complaint filed June 24 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Varney claims on March 3, 2011, her general surgeon indicated she had skin compromise bilaterally near the incision sites and on March 17, 2011, her medical records indicate that she had bilateral skin excoriation with comprise to her skin edges.

Despite the condition of her wounds and a scab over the central portion of her mastectomy site, Wood added an addition 100 ml of saline to each of Varney's tissue expanders, which were already filled with 200 cc's of saline, stretching the already compromised skin, according to the suit.

Varney claims on April 5, 2011, her surgical wounds had begun to separate and by April 12, 2011, both of her implants were exposed.

On April 12, 2011, Wood performed an in-office surgical procedure and attempted to close the wounds and minimize the exposure of the breast implants bilaterally with sutures, but this procedure did not completely cover the right tissue expander, according to the suit.

Varney claims on April 14, 2011, Wood performed a second in-office procedure and on May 12, 2011, her skin had deteriorated, exposing more than one-third of her right tissue expander.

On May 19, 2011, Wood removed Varney's implants and on Sept. 14, 2011, performed surgery again to try to close her chest wounds, according to the suit.

Varney claims as a result of the defendants' breach of the standard of medical care, negligent, carelessness, willfulness, wantonness, recklessness and incompetent procedures, she suffered physical pain and discomfort; mental anguish; insult; indignity; humiliation; severe emotional distress; increased medical expenses; unnecessary and prolonged exposure to antibiotics; and other damages.

Varney is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Lynette Simon Marshall and Robert B. Warner of Warner Law Offices PLLC.

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

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-1185