SCRANTON — A couple are suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), alleging negligent care of the wife at Pike County Family Health.
Christina Knapp and Douglas Knapp filed a complaint on July 17, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, against DHHS, alleging that the government agency was careless and negligent in the care and treatment of Christina Knapp.
The plaintiffs allege that, between May 14, 2015, and June 28, 2017, Christina Knapp went to the defendant's facility at Pike County Family Health under the care of a certified registered nurse practitioner. Plaintiff complained of a red rash on her forehead and hairline and tightening of the jaw, and was diagnosed to have Lyme Disease.
She was prescribed Doxycycline, 100mg, for 21 days. She developed rashes and became feverish. which caused her to visit, on different instances, Pike Country Family Health, Wright Center and Geisinger Hospital, where she was admitted as her condition worsened, she says.
Plaintiffs learned that Mrs. Knapp was suffering from chronic polyangiitis and chronic kidney disease, stage 3, caused by Doxycycline. The plaintiffs hold DHHS responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to advise other treatment options and failed to advise Christina Knapp to stop the use of Doxycycline.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek an amount in excess of $75,000.00 together with interest and cost of suit. They are represented by Edwin A. Abrahamsen of Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen P.C. in Scranton.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania 3:18-cv-01422