CHARLESTON – A patient of Saint Francis Hospital, who is allergic to surgical tape, claims that the hospital acted negligently when they applied the tape to her following surgery.
Sandra Crawford filed a lawsuit on Jan. 6 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Dr. Charles D. Crigger and Saint Francis Hospital, also known as Charleston Hospital Inc., alleging negligence.
Crawford went to Saint Francis Hospital on April 17, 2014 for the excision of a mass on her neck. Crawford said that on the pre-operative documentation and on her medical chart, including her pre-operative wrist band, it listed her allergy to surgical tape. Crawford also asserts that her allergy to surgical tape was also verbally confirmed to personnel and staff of the hospital.
Crawford alleges that after the surgery, which was performed by Crigger, hospital employees applied mastisol and steri-strips onto the right side of her neck. While in recovery, she allegedly felt pressure on her chest and epigastric area and, later, had difficulty breathing. She said she was transferred to the emergency room and underwent treatment for the reaction.
Crawford was released from Saint Francis on April 18, 2014 but, over the course of the next three days, she claims to have developed an intense skin reaction that included drainage and blistering, which eventually spread to her jaw line and across her chest wall. She said she was re-admitted to Saint Francis on April 20, 2014 where she received steroids and antibiotics for the severe allergic reaction to the surgical tape.
Crawford claims that the hospital was negligent in its care and failed to exercise proper actions for the safety of the patient. She claims that she suffered physical pain, permanent injury, mental anguish, loss of ability to enjoy life, and financial loss due to time off and medical bills.
Crawford is suing for compensatory and general damages, costs of suit, attorney fees, and any other rewards deemed proper by the court. She is demanding a jury trial; and is represented by attorneys J. Michael Ranson and Cynthia M. Ranson of Ranson Law Offices PLLC in Charleston, and G. Patrick Jacobs of Jacobs Law Offices PLLC. The case has been assigned to Judge Tod J. Kaufman.
Kanawha Circuit Court Case number 16-C-7