CHARLESTON — A Fayette County husband and wife are suing a Charleston medical facility, alleging negligence.
Markita Jo and Anthony Strickland filed a complaint in Kanawha Circuit Court against Charleston Area Medical Center Inc. and West Virginia University Board of Governors, alleging they breached professional standards of care and treatment in the delivery of the couple's child.
According to the complaint, Markita Jo Strickland's condition deteriorated to the point that she was forced to untimely deliver her female child after 37 weeks gestational age. The suit says this resulted in the stillbirth of the child due to the negligence and improper conduct of the defendants in the care, treatment, and monitoring of Strickland's pregnancy.
The lawsuit states Strickland sustained great mental pain and suffering. Additionally, the plaintiffs say, they were denied the love and companionship of their stillborn child, and incurred cremation and funeral expenses.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants failed to provide a full and proper evaluation of Markita Jo Strickland's medical condition and failed to consider the seriousness of the risk factors that were recognized early in her pregnancy.
The Stricklands seek trial by jury, general and special damages, punitive and/or exemplary damages, attorney fees, interest, costs of suit and all other proper relief. They are represented by attorneys Robert F. Welsh and Marvin W. Masters of Tha Masters Law Firm LC in Charleston.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 18-C-1181