CHARLESTON — A widow is suing the West Virginia University Board of Governors for her late husband's death.
Dr. Muhammad Hasaan Bashir attempted to perform an endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy on Jason Bladen on Oct. 20, 2021, which his wife, Heather Bladen, alleges resulted in his injuries and death, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Heather Bladen claims he was admitted to CAMC on Oct. 16, 2021, and a liver biopsy was indicated for him, which was done four days later.
During the endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy, Bashir did not take samples of Jason Bladen's liver, and, instead, took two samples of his spleen, according to the suit.
Heather Bladen claims during the biopsy, Bashir should not have been near the spleen. She claims Bashir punctured his spleen and caused a large splenic laceration measuring 12 centimeters.
On Oct. 26, 2021, the splenic laceration began bleeding, which resulted in hemorrhagic shock, surgeries, the loss of Jason Bladen's spleen and, eventually, his death, according to the suit.
"Defendant West Virginia University Board of Governors is vicariously liable for the negligence of its respective employees and agents, including Dr. Bashir, and is estopped from denying vicarious liability under principles of employment and agency law," the complaint states.
Heather Bladen is seeking compensatory damages. She is being represented by Tony O'Dell and Cheryl Fisher of Tiano O'Dell in Charleston.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 23-C-762