A Pennsylvania couple has taken legal action against a local hospital, alleging severe medical negligence that led to significant physical and emotional suffering. Sherry L. Goodman and her husband, Chad E. Goodman, filed a complaint on June 21, 2024, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital.
According to the court documents, Ms. Goodman had been suffering from a cicatricial granuloma in her lower abdomen, causing her considerable pain and discomfort. Seeking relief, she consulted with plastic surgeon Dr. James Fernau who scheduled an abdominal flap delay procedure at Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital on October 21, 2022. The surgery aimed to increase blood supply to the tissue before reconstructive flap surgery.
On the day of the procedure, Ms. Goodman was attended by Dr. Fernau, first assistant Olivia Byers, and two circulating nurses believed to be contracted by the hospital as traveling nurses. The surgery initially appeared successful; however, complications arose post-operation when the circulating nurses allegedly placed Ms. Goodman's abdominal binders too tightly despite explicit instructions from Dr. Fernau for no pressure whatsoever.
The next day, Ms. Goodman reported discomfort and tightness due to the binders during a follow-up call with Dr. Fernau who then advised her to remove them immediately and meet him for further evaluation. Upon examination, it was discovered that the tight binders had caused vascular compromise leading to a significant pressure wound.
Ms. Goodman subsequently required extensive wound care including serial tissue debridements and numerous hyperbaric oxygen treatments due to this oversight. The lawsuit claims that she now suffers from a permanent, unsightly scar which causes ongoing pain and emotional distress.
The plaintiffs argue that Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital is vicariously liable for the actions of its staff under professional negligence (vicarious liability) and corporate liability theories because they failed in their duty of care towards Ms. Goodman in several ways including improperly placing abdominal binders too tightly and failing to monitor her condition adequately post-surgery.
In addition to compensatory damages exceeding jurisdictional arbitration limits for physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of earnings potential among other things for Ms. Goodman; Mr. Goodman is also seeking damages for loss of consortium as he has been deprived of his wife's aid comfort companionship due to her injuries.
Representing the plaintiffs are Brendan B Lupetin Esq., from Lupetin & Unatin LLC while Judge presiding over this case is yet unnamed but identified under Case ID GD24-.