Woman blames Cabell County Hospital for sexual abuse

HUNTINGTON - A woman is suing Cabell Huntington Hospital Inc. after she claims a protected person was sexually harassed and abused while in its care.

Travis Scott Burdette was also named as a defendant in the suit.

On Nov. 11, 2011, Judy G. Harold was being treated at Cabell when she was sexually harassed and abused by Burdette, according to a complaint filed Nov. 8 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Karen Lemaster, Harold's guardian, claims Cabell negligently allowed the conduct to occur.

Cabell owed a duty to Harold to exercise reasonable care with respect to hiring, retention and supervision of Burdette and to see that patients were not subjected to sexual abuse, sexual harassment or other inappropriate conduct while undergoing treatment, according to the suit.

Lemaster claims Cabell knew or should have known that Burdette had previously committed similar acts and was on notice for the inherent risks of exposing female patients to the care of Burdette.

The defendants' conduct caused Harold anxiety; humiliation; annoyance and inconvenience; invasion of privacy; emotional distress; pain and suffering; mental anguish; loss of ability to enjoy life; medical expenses and other damages.

Lemaster is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre-judgment interest. She is being represented by Chad Hatcher of Hatcher Law Office.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 13-C-833