CHARLESTON — A woman says her family member died due to the negligence of Thomas Memorial Hospital and two physicians.
Terry Gandee, who had previously suffered from a stroke and was non-verbal, was taken to Thomas Memorial on Feb. 25, 2019, from SweetBriar Assisted Living in Dunbar, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Angela Shafer claims Gandee was evaluated by Dr. Matthew Johnson and Johnson's evaluation note mentions concerns that he had been drugged or used illicit drugs, however, his drug screening only noted it was positive for prescribed Gabapentin and he was discharged and sent back to SweetBriar.
Several hours later, he was found unresponsive with blood coming out of his mouth and was taken back to the hospital and diagnosed with septic shock, hyperammonemia, hypothermia, metabolic acidosis, hypovolemia and suspected DIC.
Dr. Gregory D. Clarke cared for Gandee after Johnson's shift ended and transferred Gandee to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Intensive Care Unit. Gandee died on March 3, 2019, from his injuries.
Shafer is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is represented by Bradley D. Dunkle and L. Dante diTrapano of Calwell Luce diTrapano in Charleston.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 21-C-46