LOUISIANA RECORD

GRETNA – A patient is suing her doctor who allegedly ignored abnormal preoperative test results and went ahead with a medical procedure that later led to severe complications requiring major follow-up procedures.

Betty Bumgarden filed suit against Carlos Alberto Sirven M.D. and Emery August Minnard M.D. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Aug. 6.

Bumgarden alleges that on Jan. 10, 2011 she underwent preoperative tests and abnormal results were returned. Despite the results the plaintiff asserts Sirven on Jan. 26, 2011 conducted a procedure to remove a thin layer of skin from her uterus. Bumgarden contends about a week after the procedure she was admitted to West Jefferson Medical Center with complaints of aches and pains and three days after the first admittance came back with more severe symptoms including pain, vomiting and shortness of breath.

The plaintiff claims that during a second hospitalization an abscess in her colon was located and drained and she underwent a procedure to remove part of her colon and her entire uterus. Following the surgery Bumgarden allegedly went into kidney failure and after her wounds would not heal she later had to undergo another partial colon resection as well as a bowel resection before being diagnosed with wound cellulitis and another abscess.

The defendant is accused of deviating from the acceptable standard care as a physician, mismanaging medical care, failing to use proper technique, failing to timely diagnose and treat post-operative infection complaints, failing to identify the source of the abnormal test results prior to surgery and performing a surgical procedure when medically contraindicated.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for mental pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, medical expenses, disability and loss of enjoyment of life.

Bumgarden is represented by T. Carey Wicker of New Orleans-based Capitelli & Wicker.

The case has been assigned to Division A Judge Raymond S. Steib Jr.

Case no. 741-030.