BECKLEY – A Beckley woman is suing Beckley Vascular Associates after she claims it is responsible for her husband’s death.
Dr. Courtney Katril Pettiford was also named as a defendant in the suit.
Fredric David Barton had a large non-reducible scrotal hernia that extended to the level of his right knee and he was scheduled to undergo repair of the hernia on Oct. 7, 2015, according to a complaint filed in Raleigh Circuit Court.
Melissa Dawn Barton claims the procedure was performed by Pettiford and was scheduled as a hybrid robotic/open repair with mobilization of the bowel to be performed robotically and mesh repair and scrotoplasty to be performed as an open procedure.
The first day after the operation, Melissa Barton contacted Pettiford’s office to report increased pain and drainage from the wound and was given a prescription for a stronger pain medication, but was not seen by the doctor, according to the suit.
Melissa Barton claims that evening, Fredric Barton developed difficulty breathing and he was taken via EMS to Raleigh General Hospital.
Frederic Barton remained hypotensive required pressors and was eventually seen by Dr. Travis Safley, who was covering for Pettiford, according to the suit.
Melissa Barton claims a small bowel injury was identified and resected and Frederic Barton was taken to ICU.
Frederic Barton died on Oct. 10, 2015, from multiple organ failure resulting from the bowel injury and hernia repair.
Melissa Barton is seeking compensatory damages. She is being represented by R. Dean Hartley and Mark R. Staun of Hartley Law Group.