HUNTINGTON – A woman is suing St. Mary's Medical Center after she claims it is responsible for the wrongful death of her family member.
On April 24, 2014, James Hignite was admitted to St. Mary's for treatment of respiratory failure and myocardial infarction, according to a complaint filed Nov. 2 in Cabell Circuit Court.
Vina Hignite claims James Hignite suffered from skin breakdown and pressure ulcers during his admission to the hospital and St. Mary's failed to provide adequate care plans for skin issues and wound care and failed to monitor him for skin breakdown.
St. Mary's failed to provide adequate and timely pressure relief and care or treatment to prevent the development of skin breakdown, according to the suit.
Vina Hignite claims St. Mary's failed to provide adequate care and treatment so as to prevent infection of James Hignite's pressure ulcers.
The negligence and carelessness of the professionals and non-professionals at the facility contributed substantially to James Hignite's harm, injury and, ultimately, his death, according to the suit.
Vina Hignite claims the defendant was negligent and reckless.
The defendant also caused the wrongful death of James Hignite, according to the suit,
Vina Hignite is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Andrew L. Paternostro, Sprague W. Hazard and Jeff D. Stewart of the Bell Law Firm PLLC.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Christopher D. Chiles.
Cabell Circuit Court case number: 15-C-759
