A lawsuit filed in Monongalia County Circuit Court alleges doctors and medical staff at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital did not provide an appropriate level of care during a 2021 spinal surgery.
According to court documents, David D. Gentry suffered severe skin-tear injuries to his shoulder, arms and elbow region after hospital staff failed to recognize a note citing Gentry’s allergy to adhesives.
Gentry, a former law enforcement officer in Raleigh County, was shot several times in the line of duty in June 1991. Former West Virginia Gov. Gaston Caperton awarded Gentry the Governor’s State Police Medal of Valor. He also was awarded purple hearts from both the West Virginia Deputy Sheriffs Association and the West Virginia Chiefs of Police.
Gentry is currently the vice president for the West Virginia Deputy Sheriff’s Association, serves on the Governor’s Law Enforcement Professional Standards Committee and remains on the local, state and national Fraternal Order of Police organizations, serving various roles.
On Oct. 8, 2021, a surgical procedure requiring anesthesia was performed at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital on vertebrae in Gentry’s spine.
“Prior to the surgery, it was noted by staff at Ruby that Mr. Gentry was on blood thinners and also had a known adhesive allergy,” the civil complaint states.
“Despite this knowledge, adhesive tape was used by members of the medical care team during his surgery,” the complaint continues.
The complaint alleges Drs. Andrew Criser and Rachel Dada, the attending anesthesiologist and anesthesia resident during the procedure, breached the standard of care by failing to carefully inspect the patient’s skin prior to and throughout the delivery of anesthesia and surgery, not appropriately indicating the patient’s prior extreme sensitivity to adhesive tape, and not using available alternatives to the tape.
The suit also alleges Gentry’s medical records did not accurately document the obvious complications. In contrast, the record documented “no intra-operative complications,” which the suit claims is not true.
“As a result of Drs. Criser’s and Dada’s negligence, [Gentry] suffered severe skin-tear injuries to his shoulder, arms, and elbow region,” the suit states.
After the procedure, Gentry said he contacted WVU Medicine’s Patient Relations Department to advise them of the injuries sustained during the procedure.
A Patient and Professional Advocate allegedly told Gentry that after review, the tears to his skin were the “result of a routine transfer method” and the tears are a “known complication for patients who are treated with blood thinners.”
The lawsuit notes this response made Gentry feel as if WVU Medicine indicated that he (Gentry) was somehow responsible for the injuries sustained.
Due to the alleged failure of the doctors, Gentry had to have additional medical treatment and therapy and suffered and continues to suffer physical pain and extreme emotional distress.
Gentry is seeking past and future relief for medical bills, physical injuries, psychological injuries, emotional distress and other damages incurred.
The Dominion Post contacted representatives of WVU Medicine who were unable to comment on pending litigation.
