On April 27, 1992, Danny Hedrick was working as a coal miner when a chisel that was approximately seven inches long went between his eyes and his low forehead into the left frontal and parietal region, resulting in a craniotomy, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Gail Hedrick claims an MRI conducted on June 2, 2014, revealed significant atrophy within the left frontal lobe, extending into the parietal lobe, and Dr. Lana Christiano recommended surgery.
On June 10, 2014, Hedrick underwent a bifrontal craniotomy and a resection of the left frontal mucocele with a complex course after surgery, consisting of neurogenic respiratory failure and ventilator management, according to the suit.
Gail Hedrick claims on June 17, 2014, Danny Hedrick underwent a second surgery consisting of an insertion of right parietal ventriculoperitoneal shunt and h remained at Charleston Area Medical Center.
On June 26, 2014, Danny Hedrick was found unresponsive and, despite aggressive Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocol, he was pronounced dead, according to the suit.
Danny Hedrick was at high risk for a cardiac arrest and death and Christiano misdiagnosed or otherwise failed to adequately and reasonably treat his medical conditions while he was at CAMC.
Gail Hedrick claims Christiano breached the standard of care by failing to seek a post-operative cardiology consultation for Danny Hedrick .
Gail Hedrick is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Stephen P. New and Amanda J. Taylor.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 16-C-863