LOUISIANA RECORD

GRETNA – The family of a deceased man is suing his doctor for alleged malpractice involving a house call.

Noemie I. Moonan, widow of Andrew Vincent Moonan, III, and Michael Andrew Moonan, son of Andrew Vincent Moonan, III, filed suit against Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Co. and Dr. Frank J. Monte in the 24th Judicial District Court.

The Moonans claim Andrew Moonan had been a longtime patient of Monte’s when he fell in his home at age 73. The plaintiffs allege that Moonan was taken to a hospital in an ambulance where he was found to have fractured his ribs. He was released from the hospital after receiving pain medication and the next day he was having trouble breathing and could not get out of his bed. At that point his wife phoned Monte for more pain medication. Moonan’s breathing, shortness of breath and pain allegedly became progressively worse after he had been bedridden for three days. Then, Monte made a house call to check on him, the suit states.

The plaintiffs allege that despite Moonan’s pleas to let him return to the hospital Monte refused to admit him and would not direct him to the emergency room. The following day Moonan’s wife called Monte’s office and was allegedly instructed by an office assistant that elderly patients with fractured ribs need to walk around as part of the recovery effort. After being in bed for four days Moonan was able to stand with assistance and taken to the bathroom in his recliner and when he got up again he allegedly collapsed to floor at which point an ambulance was called and he was taken to a hospital. The following day Moonan died and the autopsy reveled he had suffered a pulmonary embolism.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for alleged wrongful death, conscious pain and suffering, loss of love and affection and companionship.

The Moonans are represented by attorney Owen J. Bradley of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division I Judge Nancy A. Miller.

Case no. 721-511.