MORGANTOWN — A West Virginia couple is suing the West Virginia University hospital board, alleging negligence led to wife's suffering.
Melissa and Joseph Smith filed a complaint in Monongalia Circuit Court against the West Virginia University Board of Governors, alleging the state agency breached professional standards of health care and treatment.
According to the complaint, Melissa Smith suffered a worsening condition of her intracranial hypotension, including cerebellar tonsillar herniation, as a result of the negligence of the defendant's physicians at West Virginia University Hospitals in Morgantown to order and perform a diagnostic lumbar puncture April 5, 2016.
The suit says the hospital's treatment deviated from professional standards of care and caused Smith to suffer serious injuries, including an emergent posterior craniotomy, C1 and C2 laminectomies, placement of a VP shunt, disfigurement, scarring, pain, numbness and other permanent injuries.
Moreover, the sit says Joseph Smith has suffered the loss of services, society and companionship of his wife.
The plaintiffs allege hold West Virginia University Board of Governors failed to be diligent in the care and treatment of Melissa Smith, and performed a procedure that departed from the standard care and skill required of physicians.
The Smiths seek trial by jury, compensatory and punitive damages, interest, attorney fees, court costs, and all other damages. They are represented by attorneys Jacques R. Williams and Andrew G. Meek of Hamstead, Williams & Shook PLLC in Morgantown.
Monongalia Circuit Court case number 18-C-316