GRETNA – A local hospital is being sued by a woman who claims she suffered severe complications that went undiagnosed for an extended period due to blood thinning treatment for a heart condition.
Naomi Sewell filed suit against Rupinderjit Dillon M.D., Daniel Morin M.D., Richard Milani M.D., Nanette LeBlanc FNP, Ochsner Clinic Foundation and Ochsner Medical Center in the 24th Judicial District Court on April 27.
Sewell alleges that on Oct. 12, 2011 she was admitted to the Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson where she was diagnosed with having an irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular response for which she was placed on anti-coagulation therapy. The plaintiff contends that as part of the therapy she was prescribed blood thinners and discharged on Oct. 14, 2011. However, Sewell asserts that shortly after beginning her medication regimen she began suffering from extreme pain in her leg and on Oct. 17, 2011 she was diagnosed with having nerve damage and doctors continued her blood thinner medication.
The plaintiff clams that it was only after returning to the hospital on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20, 2011 that it was discovered she had suffered a hemorrhage in her leg and blood loss resulting in the pooling of blood in her leg as a result of the blood thinner therapy. Due to the incident Sewell alleges she was hospitalized for several days and still suffers from pain and weakness in her leg.
The defendant is accused of failing to timely treat an ill patient, failing to offer proper medical assistance, failing to properly diagnose a life-threatening complication, failing to follow rules and standard of proper medical treatment, failing to properly monitor a patient, failing to timely diagnose a serious condition and failing to order appropriate diagnostic testing.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for permanent impairment, physical pain and suffering and mental pain and suffering.
Sewell is represented by Patrick H. Hufft of New Orleans-based Hufft & Hufft APLC.
The case has been assigned to Division O Judge Danyelle M. Taylor.
Case no. 749-163.