GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish woman is suing a local doctor for medical malpractice after she continues to suffer side effects from what was deemed to be a simple out-patient surgery.
Zelda Thomas filed suit against Dr. Emery Minnard in the 24th Judicial District Court on Oct. 15.
Thomas claims that she visited Minnard due to a swollen thyroid. After the initial examination, she claims the defendant told her to wait a year and have her condition monitored via ultrasound.
Thomas asserts that when she had the ultrasound done a year later the swelling had worsened and Minnard advised her to undergo an out-patient surgery to remove her thyroid due to a nodule.
During the ensuing surgery the plaintiff alleges she woke up unable to breathe and that emergency procedures had to be undertaken to restore oxygen to her lungs. Thomas asserts three days later a tracheotomy was performed to alleviate her breathing problems.
Two years after the tracheotomy the plaintiff is still dependent on breathing through her tracheotomy hole and has been rushed to the hospital on numerous occasions to deal with matters related to her breathing problem.
The defendant is accused of failing to adequately exercise proper standard of care, negligently performing a surgical procedure, carelessly performing a total thyroidectomy, performing a medically unnecessary surgical procedure and failing to recognize and adhere to national standards of care.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for loss of quality of life, physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of bodily functioning, permanent partial disability and lost wages.
Thomas is represented by attorney Perry W. Manning Sr. of the Law Office of Perry W. Manning Sr.
The case has been assigned to Division N Judge Hans J. Liljeberg.
Case no. 720-139