Medical malpractice lawsuit filed by estate of patient who allegedly suffered septic infection due to implant

GRETNA – The estate of a deceased patient is suing two doctors and a local hospital who allegedly left a temporary implant in the patient which later resulted in a septic infection.

The estate of Gregory Melson filed suit against Dr. Gregory Reiss, Dr. Emory Minnard and West Jefferson Medical Center in the 24th Judicial District Court on July 3.

The plaintiff asserts that Melson was admitted to West Jefferson Medical Center on Aug. 5, 2009 under the care of Reiss to be treated for cholestatic liver function and a pancreatic mass. The plaintiff alleges Reiss installed a stint and after the visit Melson sought a surgical evaluation and afterward performed two more procedures related to the pancreatic mass. The suit claims that when Melson was released from the defendants’ care on Oct. 30, 3009 he was never told that the stint implant would need to be removed and provided no instructions for its care.

The plaintiff claims that in August 2010 Melson became very ill and it was revealed that a serious septic infection had developed in the his stomach for which he had to undergo surgery. The suit claims that the stint was removed and a permanent one was installed after it was determined that the original stint was only meant to be temporary and because it was not removed within three months the wound never fully healed and Melson later died.

The defendant is accused of failing to inform the patient that the implanted stint was temporary and should have been removed, failing to follow-up with the patient, failing to properly assess and diagnose the plaintiff’s condition and failing to adhere to the standard of care of healthcare providers.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for permanent physical injury, pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, transportation expenses, inconvenience, loss of services, loss of wages, loss of love and affection, emotional pain and suffering prior to Melson’s death, medical expenses and burial and funeral expenses.

The Estate of Gregory Melson is represented by John D. Sileo of New Orleans-based John D. Sileo LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division P Judge Lee V. Faulkner Jr.

Case no. 740-031.