CHARLESTON — A Kanawha County woman is suing Charleston Area Medical Center alleging the hospital wrongfully cared for her during her admission.
Kathy Meninger was brought to Charleston Area Medical Center on June 1, 2021, by ambulance to the emergency department with slurred speech, aphasia and other symptoms consistent with a stroke, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Meninger claims she was admitted for treatment and monitoring and her daughter repeatedly informed the defendants of her mother's history of difficult intubation, dysphagia, choking, difficulty breathing and esophageal stricture. The daughter repeatedly told the defendants that Meninger should not be intubated for any reason.
During the course of the plaintiff's treatment, CAMC employees in the neurology department recommended that Meninger undergo a transesophageal echocardiogram, which would require inserting a tube into her esophagus and the procedure was performed on June 2, 2021, according to the suit.
Meninger claims during the procedure, she became bradycardia and the procedure was abandoned. An anesthesiologist was then called to perform an emergency intubation and the defendant was unable to extubate Meninger when they attempted to on June 7, 2021.
Meninger claims she remained intubated for the duration of her stay at the hospital and was transferred to Cleveland Clinic on June 8, 2021, where she remained intubated.
CAMC failed to properly treat Meninger and failed to properly examine and evaluate her prior to performing the procedure, according to the suit.
Earlier this month, Meninger filed a response to a request by the hospital for a written statement of damages earlier this month, noting she was seeking past medical expenses, future medical expenses and other damages, according to the court document.
"Plaintiff's damages also include non-economic damages, i.e., past pain and suffering; future pain and suffering' past loss of enjoyment of life; future loss of enjoyment of life; past mental anguish, embarrassment and humiliation; future mental anguish; past annoyance and inconvenience; future annoyance and inconvenience; and permanent injury," the filing states. "Plaintiff will rely on the testimony of experts regarding the present value of her future medical and related care."
Meninger is seeking compensatory damages. She is represented by L. Dante diTrapano and Charles F. Bellomy of Calwell Luce diTrapano in Charleston.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Kenneth Ballard.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 23-C-581
