Widower blames Charleston doctor for wife's death

CHARLESTON - A man is suing a Charleston physician after he claims the physician is responsible for his wife's death.

On July 15, Mari Lynn Gunnoe came to Charleston Area Medical Center and it was noted that her INR was 7.64, which indicated that she was at high risk for bleeding, however, Dr. Leon Kwei discharged her that day, according to a complaint filed Nov. 1 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Gary T. Gunnoe claims the following day Mari Lynn Gunnoe returned to CAMC because she had collapsed at home. Mari Lynn Gunnoe died shortly after her return as a consequence of a gastro-intestinal bleed and cardio-respiratory arrest.

Kwei negligently discharged Mari Lynn Gunnoe with an INR of 7.64 and negligently failed to perform a rectal exam on her, according to the suit.

Gary Gunnoe claims as a direct and proximate result of the negligence, carelessness, willfulness, recklessness and/or wantonness and deviation from the applicable standard of medical care of Kwei, Mari Lynn Gunnoe was forced to endure mental anguish; pain and suffering; loss of enjoyment of life; and her subsequent death.

Gary Gunnoe is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Richard D. Lindsay of Tabor Lindsay & Associates.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charles E. King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-2050