CHARLESTON – A lawsuit has been filed against Dr. Steven Robert Matulis alleging he was professionally impaired at the time he performed a colonoscopy and that it caused him to rupture the plaintiff’s spleen.
Charleston Gastroenterology Associates and Charleston Area Medical Center were also named as defendants in the suit.
On Feb. 17, 2015, Teresa Lou Foster was a patient of Matulis and underwent a colonoscopy by him at CAMC, according to a complaint filed Feb. 27 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Gary Foster claims during the procedure, Matulis ruptured Teresa Foster’s spleen, thus resulting in physical and mental injuries and subsequent medical treatment to repair the rupture and undergo a splenectomy.
Matulis suffered from impaired professional judgment at the time he performed the colonoscopy on Teresa Foster and CAMC was aware that Matulis was professionally impaired, yet permitted him staff privileges to perform colonoscopies at its facility, according to the suit.
Gary Foster claims CGA was also aware that Matulis was professionally impaired, yet employed him to perform colonoscopies through its group.
Matulis had a duty to perform the colonoscopy as would a reasonably prudent gastroenterologist under the same or similar circumstances, according to the suit.
Gary Foster claims CGA negligently employed Matulis and CAMC negligently credentialed him.
Gary Foster is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Michael J. Del Giudice of Ciccarello, Del Giudice & LaFon.
Matulis, CGA and CAMC have been under fire lately after Matulis has been accused of sexually assaulting women when they were under anesthesia during colonoscopy procedures.
At least ten women have filed lawsuits against Matulis in the last year.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 17-C-286