HUNTINGTON – An Ohio man is suing HIMG after he claims it is responsible for his wife’s death.
Ultimate Health Services Inc. is doing business as Huntington Internal Medical Group.
St. Mary’s Medical Center Inc. and five unknown, unnamed individuals were also named as defendants in the suit.
On May 13, 2014, Betty Sue Maynard was seen by Dr. Joseph at HIMG for evaluation of lead removal of an Implantable Cardioverter Dfibrillator and on June 4, 2014, she was admitted to SMMC for AICD and lead wire removal, according to a complaint filed June 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Jerry Maynard claims during the procedure, Betty Sue Maynard suffered a hypotensive episode due to suspected bleeding and Pulseless Electrical Activity at approximately 9:51 a.m. and a blood transfusion began at approximately 10:34 a.m.
At approximately 12 p.m., Betty Sue Maynard was taken to the operating room in full cardiac arrest with CPR in progress and severe hypotension, according to the suit.
Jerry Maynard claims open heart surgery was performed, which identified that the superior vena cave was completely lacerated from the junction of the superior vena cava to the right atrium; the vein was lacerated up to the left innominate vein up to the sterna margin; and the junction of the right innominate vein was completely disrupted; and there was profuse bleeding.
When the pericardium was opened there was a gush of blood from the pericardial cavity and also a large amount of blood in the right pleural cavity, according to the suit.
Jerry Maynard claims Betty Sue Maynard was then taken to open heart recovery and remained sedated and on life support after surgery due to acute respiratory failure.
Betty Sue Maynard had another procedure for a sternal wound closure, wound irrigation, an EEG and a CT of the head, according to the suit.
Jerry Maynard claims on June 11, 2014, a repeat CT of the head was reviewed, which revealed bilateral areas of low attenuation within the posterior temporal occipital lobes consistent with nonhemorrhagic infarcts and low density within the frontoparietal region.
On June 12, 2014, a discussion was held with the plaintiff and other family members informing them Betty Sue Maynard had a poor prognosis for any meaningful recovery and comfort care was requested and she passed away that day, according to the suit.
Jerry Maynard claims the defendants were negligent and their deviation from the standard of care caused Betty Sue Maynard’s death.
Jerry Maynard is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Bert Ketchum and Larry A. Bailey of Greene, Ketchum, Farrell, Bailey & Tweel.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia case number: 3:16-cv-05055