Man sues WVU Board of Governors for son's paralysis

MORGANTOWN - A Kanawha County man is suing West Virginia University Board of Governors for injuries his minor son allegedly sustained during surgery.

West Virginia University Hospitals Inc. was also named as a defendant in the suit.

On June 14, 2011, Monroe Hairston II presented to the defendants for a pulmonary valve replacement surgery, according to a complaint filed Aug. 8 in Monongalia Circuit Court.

Monroe Hairston claims following the surgery, his son woke up on June 18, 2011, and discovered that he was permanently paralyzed.

As a result of his permanent paralysis, Monroe Hairston II has and will continue to incur medical and life care expenses; required specialized educational care; suffered a diminished capacity earning capacity; and has and will endure pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, according to the suit.

Monroe Hairston claims the defendants caused his injuries and violated the accepted standards of medical care in the treatment of Monroe Hairston II.

As a direct and proximate cause of the defendants' wrongful conduct, Monroe Hairston incurred and will continue to incur in the future the loss of society, companionship and consortium of his catastrophically injured child, according to the suit.

Monroe Hairston is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Stuart Calwell, David H. Carriger and Melissa H. Luce of the Calwell Practice PLLC.

Monongalia Circuit Court case number: 13-C-584