MORGANTOWN — A couple is suing the West Virginia University Board of Governors for violations of the West Virginia Medical Professional Liability Act.
Jennifer Goff and Sheldon Goff filed the lawsuit against MPLA violations when Jennifer Goff was a patient at WVU Medicine, according to a complaint filed in Monongalia Circuit Court.
On Oct. 21, 2019, Jennifer Goff was a patient being treated for hallux valgus and hammertoe on her right foot and was having a surgical procedure performed on her foot by Dr. Robert Santrock and Dr. Mark Plumby on that day.
During the surgery, the surgeons caused an osteotome to perforate the plantar aspect of her right foot, making a hole completely through the foot.
"Neither Dr. Santrock nor Dr. Plumby notified the Plaintiff of this injury until she asked why she had a painful scar with sutures on the bottom of her right foot at an appointment around January 17, 2020," the complaint states.
Jennifer Goff had multiple surgeries and physical therapy appointments in an attempt to decrease the pain associated with the injury and correct the nerve damage, according to the suit.
The Goffs claim the surgeons caused unnecessary scarring, permanent injuries, mental anguish, loss of ability to enjoy life, and lost wages and lost earning capacity.
Sheldon Goff suffered a loss of services, society and companionship from his wife due to her injuries, according to the suit.
WVU Board of Governors is liable for the wrongdoing of its physicians, the complaint states.
The injury was later described as a "plunge" injury and when Santrock looked at Jennifer Goff's medical chart and informed her of the injury in January 2020, he told her it would likely need some treatment and would be tender, according to the suit.
The Goffs are seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are represented by Andrew G. Meek and Alex J. Shook of Hamstead, Williams & Shook in Morgantown.
Monongalia Circuit Court case number: 22-C-13