PITTSBURGH — A woman who is the administratrix of the estate of a man who was a prisoner is suing Wexford Health Services and several staff members for claims that their negligence led to his death from throat cancer.
Amy L. White Arroyo, as the administratrix of the estate of Edwin Arroyo, filed a lawsuit on Nov. 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Wexford Health Sources Inc., Dr. Jose Boggio, a Dr. Eubanks, Dr. Arif Shaikh, physician's assistant Deborah Barndt, physician's assistant Amy Flatt, registered nurse E. Marsh, registered nurse Brian Hopkins, registered nurse Marianne Edwards, registered nurse Louise Perzacki, and John/Jane Does Number 1 through 5; citing violation of the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, constitutional deprivation, and medical malpractice and negligence.
According to the complaint, Edwin Arroyo was incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, starting on Nov. 15, 2013. Prior to his incarceration, Arroyo was allegedly diagnosed with a possible case of throat cancer and was scheduled to have a biopsy before entering the facility.
The plaintiff claims Arroyo never received treatment despite medical records replete with symptoms of throat cancer. Arroyo was transferred on March 6, 2014, from the defendant’s facility and was admitted into the University of Pittsburgh Medical System and diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, the suit says, adding that Arroyo ultimately died after medical efforts on July 1, 2014. White Arroyo avers that Arroyo’s death was a direct result of the defendant’s negligence.
White Arroyo seeks punitive damages, compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and a trial by jury. She is represented by Elmer Robert Keach III of the Law Offices of Elmer Robert Keach III in Albany, NY; and D. Aaron Rihn of Robert Peirce & Associates PC, in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 1:16-cv-00448-JEJ-MCC