FAYETTEVILLE – A man whose colonoscopy nearly cost him his life filed suit against the doctors who performed the procedure and the facility at which it took place.
Orville Glen Lusk and Mary Catherine Lusk filed their complaint in Fayette Circuit Court against Dr. T. Lawson Safley, Dr. Virginia Stewart and Oak Hill Hospital Corporation dba Plateau Medical Center.
Orville Lusk first consulted Safley on Sept. 20, 2017, signing a consent form for the colonoscopy. Safley assured Lusk there would be no complications, the lawsuit stated, but during the Sept. 20 procedure Lusk suffered a perforation. Safley elected to continue the colonoscopy and attempt to repair the perforation after obtaining a consent form from Mary Lusk, who was told the perforation had to be closed or her husband would die, the lawsuit said.
On Sept. 22, Orville Lusk's condition worsened, and he consulted Dr. Scott Keffer, who diagnosed an infection in his abdomen and told him he needed antibiotics. Lusk refused to take them, but his condition worsened so much that Mary Lusk insist he be treated at Charleston Area Medical Center, where he received the antibiotics.
Orville Lusk has suffered scarring and pain, and the couple have had to cover his medical expenses, the lawsuit said. They accused the doctors and Plateau Medical Center of medical negligence and fraud.
They are seeking all reasonable sums due, attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiff is represented by C. Michael Bee of Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler PLLC in Charleston.
The case has been assigned to Judge Thomas Ewing.
Fayette County Circuit Court case No. 19-C-114