HUNTINGTON – A woman is suing Cabell Huntington Hospital after she claims it is responsible for her child’s death.
Marshall University Board of Governors was also named as a defendant in the suit.
On March 9, 2015, Kayla J. Blanton was admitted to Cabell for intrauterine pregnancy at 24 weeks and six days with twin gestation having achieved preterm labor, according to a complaint filed May 1 in Cabell Circuit Court.
Blanton claims on March 11, 2015, twins Cash Lee Blanton and Cannon Jay Blanton were delivered and taken to the NICU.
Although Cash Blanton suffered from prematurity and conditions attendant to his prematurity, his progress over the next few weeks pointed to a continued favorable course and eventual release from the hospital as his twin brother experienced, according to the suit.
Kayla Blanton claims on April 7, 2015, Cash Blanton showed signs of sickness that required immediate attention by his medical providers and which, if done, would have precluded his death.
Cash Blanton contracted pneumonia and Escherichia coli sepsis and was not administered the proper medications in a timely manner to prevent the conditions from worsening and eventually leading to his death, according to the suit.
Kayla Blanton claims documentation by respiratory therapists indicated that Cash Blanton was experiencing deteriorating respiratory function and x-rays showed a progressive worsening of bilateral infiltrates which were severe and Cash Blanton vomited three times on April 7, 2015, yet no new orders were given to address the severity of his condition.
Despite the signs and symptoms of pneumonia and sepsis, Ampicillin was not ordered until two minutes before Cash Blanton’s death and Dopamine was not ordered until seven minutes before his death, making it impossible for the medications to effectively treat his condition in a timely manner which would have precluded his death, according to the suit.
Kayla Blanton claims Cash Blanton suffered pain and distress; rapid and ongoing deterioration of his condition which was preventable and treatable with early detection and intervention; acute deterioration due to Escherichia coli sepsis and pneumonia and other complications; sepsis, respiratory distress and cardiac arrhythmia complicated by Escherichia coli sepsis and pneumonia resulting in his untimely death.
The defendants actions constituted medical malpractice and negligence, according to the suit.
Kayla Blanton is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by W. Stuart Calwell, Melissa H. Luce and Benjamin D. Adams of the Calwell Practice.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Alfred Ferguson.
Cabell Circuit Court case number: 17-C-282
