NEW ORLEANS – The mother of a severely disabled child is suing a treatment facility claiming that her son has been subject to several instances of medical malpractice--even necessitating him being rushed to the emergency room.
Sarah Washington, individually and on behalf of her minor child. filed suit against Cassandara D. Youmans, M.D., Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and Padua House in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on May 29..
The Padua House is a pediatric residential facility for severely disabled children, in which the plaintiff states her son was a resident for approximately six years. He suffers from Criduchat syndrome and cannot see, walk, or talk. She states that he was doing very well at the home prior to a new administration taking over in October 2012. Following administrative changes, the plaintiff states that his health and well-being began to decline because of substandard care and/or gross neglect on the part of defendant.
She claims that he has been rushed to the hospital, critically ill, on four separate occasions, constituting at least four separate incidents of medical malpractice.
On March 23, 2013, she says he suffered an apneic episode requiring positive pressure ventilation and resulting in his experiencing an altered mental status. He was later transported to Ochsner Westbank. Padua denied any illness before the incident, but Ochsner diagnosed hypothermia, Criduchat syndrome, unspecified septicemia and severe sepsis. The plaintiff's son remained in PICU under heat lamps for about a week and was not released until April 2, 2013.
The plaintiff claims that defendant Youman's records incorrectly indicate she saw her son. on March 27 which she says was impossible as he was still in Children's Hospital. She also claims that on four separate occasions he was transported to the hospital due to urinary tract infections caused by the defendants.
The plaintiff is seeking an unspecified amount in damage for her son's physical and mental pain and suffering and medical expenses, and for her own suffering and loss of consortium.
The plaintiff is represented by Attorney Gary J. Gambel of Murphy, Rogers, Sloss & Gambel add Jennifer N. Willis and Jennifer S. Martinez of Willis & Buckley.
This case has been assigned to Div. N Judge Ethel S. Julien.
Case no. 2015-05181.