CHARLESTON — A woman is suing Family Health Associates of Kanawha Valley for the death of her adult son.
Brenda McManaman filed the lawsuit against Family Health Associates of Kanawha Valley and Tasha Elswick, a physician's assistant, on behalf of the estate of her son, Nathan McManaman, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Brenda McManaman claims Nathan McManaman was seen by Elswick and did not properly address his mental health needs when he saw her for unexplained weight loss, sleep disturbances, back pain and other symptoms after a recent divorce.
Brenda McManaman claims Elswick prescribed him Paxil for another symptom but did not warn him of the dangers of the drug in regard to the increased risk of suicide.
Nathan McManaman posted a suicide note on Facebook on June 30, 2019, and then died by suicide at his apartment. When his ex-wife saw the Facebook post, she rushed to the apartment but was unable to gain entry. He was later discovered dead of a gunshot wound to his head.
Brenda McManaman claims Elswick failed to properly advise and warn Nathan McManaman about the dangers of Paxil.
Brenda McManaman is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is represented by L. Dante diTrapano and Alex McLaughlin of Calwell Luce diTrapano in Charleston.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 21-C-296