A recent lawsuit filed in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, alleges that a local hospital and several associated healthcare providers failed to properly diagnose and treat a serious medical condition, resulting in permanent blindness for the patient. The complaint was filed by Francis L. Weaver and Sherry L. Weaver on September 24, 2022, against Dr. Richard Sullivan, West Penn Allegheny Health System, Inc., Allegheny Health Network, Jefferson Regional Medical Center (doing business as Jefferson Hospital), and Emergency Physicians of Pittsburgh LTD.
According to the court documents, Francis L. Weaver experienced an acute retinal detachment while working as a truck driver on September 24, 2022. He promptly sought medical attention at Jefferson Hospital's Emergency Department, where he reported an acute loss of vision in his right eye but no other symptoms such as pain or trauma. Despite having a history of past eye surgery, Mr. Weaver was under the care of Dr. Richard Sullivan during his time at the emergency department.
The lawsuit claims that Dr. Sullivan performed a point-of-care ultrasound on Mr. Weaver's right eye but failed to recognize the retinal detachment clearly depicted in the images. Instead, Dr. Sullivan diagnosed Mr. Weaver with central retinal artery occlusion—a condition caused by a clot in the main blood vessel supplying the retina—leading to inappropriate treatment over the next two days.
Mr. Weaver was discharged from Jefferson Hospital on September 27, 2022, with instructions to follow up with an ophthalmologist. However, due to scheduling difficulties, he could not see an ophthalmologist until October 5, 2022—by which time he was diagnosed with a total retinal detachment in his right eye by Retinal Vitreous Consultants.
Despite undergoing multiple surgeries between October 7, 2022, and March 13, 2023, Mr. Weaver never regained vision in his right eye and is now permanently blind in that eye.
The plaintiffs allege that Dr. Sullivan's failure to correctly interpret the ultrasound results and subsequent misdiagnosis constituted negligence and professional liability on behalf of all defendants involved—Jefferson Regional Medical Center d/b/a Jefferson Hospital; West Penn Allegheny Health System; Allegheny Health Network; and Emergency Physicians of Pittsburgh LTD.
Francis L. Weaver is seeking damages for medical expenses incurred due to unnecessary treatments for central retinal artery occlusion—a condition he did not have—as well as future medical costs related to his permanent blindness. Additionally, he seeks compensation for lost income and impairment of earning capacity due to his inability to work as a truck driver following his injury.
Sherry L. Weaver has also filed a claim for loss of consortium due to her husband's injuries and their impact on their marital relationship.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Bradley M. Bassi and Corey S. Young from Bassi Vreeland & Associates P.C., based in Charleroi, Pennsylvania.