Couple sue Roane General Hospital for medical malpractice

CHARLESTON - A couple are suing Hospital Development Co. for injuries allegedly caused by its facility and employees.

Hospital Development Co. is doing business as Roane General Hospital. Drs. Daniel B. Prudich and Maria L. Kessell were also named as defendants in the suit.

On Aug. 18, 2011, Sandra Ellis presented to the emergency department of Roane General, complaining of pain and swelling in her right lower leg over the previous five to seven days, according to a complaint filed Sept. 12 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Ellis claims Prudich treated her and diagnosed her with right leg edema and advised her to follow-up with her primary care physician, Kessell.

On Aug. 31, Ellis presented to Roane General to follow up with Kessell and Kessell indicated the presence of peripheral edema and prescribed Ellis a diuretic, ordered an echocardiogram and chest x-ray and instructed her to follow up in one month, according to the suit.

Ellis claims she was examined three times between Sept. 10, 2011, and Sept. 25, 2011, in Roane General's emergency department or by Kessell, and on Sept. 27, 2011, a referral was given for a vascular surgeon named Dr. Patrick Stone, as Ellis' "current visit problem" was indicated to be Peripheral Vascular Disease.

On Oct. 17, 2011, Ellis presented to Charleston Area Medical Center's emergency department, complaining of foot pain and a foot infection, according to the suit.

Ellis claims an examination of the right foot showed "clear evidence of deep necrosis with foul smell coming from her foot."

On Oct. 19, 2011, a below-the-knee amputation was performed on Ellis' right leg and on Oct. 24, 2011, an above-the-knee amputation of her right leg was performed, according to the suit.

Ellis claims the defendants owed her a duty to skillfully, prudently and thoroughly diagnose, care, treat, advise and observe her in such a manner as would reasonably prudent physicians who were confronted with and by similar conditions and circumstances.

Ellis and her husband, Paul Ellis, are seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by W. Stuart Calwell Jr., Melissa H. Luce and Benjamin D. Adams of the Calwell Practice PLLC.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-1737