Couple sue Select Specialty Hospital-Charleston

CHARLESTON - A couple are suing Select Specialty Hospital-Charleston Inc. for injuries allegedly sustained while at its facility.

On July 26, 2012, Terri R. Bickley was admitted to Select Specialty for intravenous treatment related to a blood infection, according to a complaint filed Aug. 30 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Bickley claims on July 30, 2012, she was to receive Vancomycin 1250mg IV to be administered twice per day and in July 31, 2012, she was administered Levophed as opposed to her regularly-prescribed intravenous antibiotic.

As a result of the improper medication administered by the nurses and staff of Select Specialty, Bickley began having chest pain, disphoresis and extreme anxiety, according to the suit.

Bickley claims the symptoms were that of a heart attack, and the nurses failed to timely recognize and alert her physician of the symptoms.

Rather than transporting Bickley to the hospital, the defendants kept her at Select Specialty until her condition deteriorated further, according to the suit.

Bickley claims due to being administered Levophed, she suffered kidney failure and an acute kidney injury, which is permanent.

As a result, Bickley has suffered severe and permanent injuries, has permanent kidney injuries, and will require additional medical treatment in the future, according to the suit.

Bickley claims the defendants caused her to sustain injuries, medical expenses, loss of household services and damages.

Donald Bickley, Terri Bickey's husband, has been deprived of the consortium, society and comfort of his wife, according to the suit.

The Bickleys are seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by William M. Tiano of Tiano O'Dell PLLC.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-1657