CHARLESTON — A McDowell County woman is suing a local hospital operator, alleging breach of confidentiality.
Ktistala Cortellesi filed a lawsuit Nov. 28 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Welch Community Hospital Inc., alleging violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
According to the complaint, on Sept. 24, 2014, Cortellesi was a patient at Welch Community Hospital's emergency room. As a result of negligence by Welch employees and/or agents, the suit says, the plaintiff suffered monetary damages, lost wages and emotional distress because the defendant negligently allowed Cortellesi's protected health information to be disseminated to the general public, including to the plaintiff's boss at McDowell County Schools.
Cortellesi seeks seeks trial by jury and judgment in an amount to be determined at trial. She is represented by attorney Anthony M. Salvatore of Hewitt & Salvatore PLLC in Beckley.
Kanawha Circuit Court Case number 16-c-1762