CHARLESTON – An inmate at Lakin Correctional Facility alleges she broke her femur when a Hoyer lift harness broke and caused her to fall.
Cathy Williams filed a complaint on July 7 in the Kanawha Circuit Court against West Virginia Division of Corrections, Wexford Health Sources Inc., Craig Smith and John/Jane Doe alleging reckless, gross negligence, supervision training/hiring and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was housed in the medical unit and sustained a broken femur when defendants' Hoyer lift harness strap broke and caused her to fall to the floor.
The plaintiff holds West Virginia Division of Corrections, Wexford Health Sources Inc., Smith and John/Jane Doe responsible because Smith was allegedly not properly trained on the proper use and maintenance of the Hoyer lift, West Virginia Division of Corrections, Wexford Health Sources Inc. allegedly failed to fulfill their duty to provide proper training and personnel.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks all damages with pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney's fees and expenses. She is represented by Paul M. Stroebel of Stroebel & Johnson PLLC in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Tod J. Kaufman.
Kanawha Circuit Court Case number 17-C986