Man sues hospital who allegedly left him on bedpan for over four hours

GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish man is suing a local hospital for medical malpractice for allegedly leaving him on a bedpan for four and a half hours.

Louis A. Dirosa filed suit against West Jefferson Medical Center Hospital & Health System, West Jefferson Hospital, Karen Tassin R.N. and Kristi St. Martin M.D. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Dec. 13. Dirosa claims he came to the emergency room at West Jefferson Hospital on Feb. 16, 2010 complaining of severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting that were found to be connected to a fall Dirosa had just over two weeks earlier where he suffered a small hemorrhage and lost consciousness at one point. The plaintiff alleges that his diagnosis required close evaluation and treatment. Dirosa asserts that upon his entry into the hospital he received an enema and when Tassin, in her as a function as a nurse, administered the enema she left him on a bedpan and did not return to remove the bedpan. The plaintiff alleges that he was sedated and fell asleep on the bedpan and it was not discovered until four and a half hours later that he was still on the bedpan at which time his lower extremities were swollen and extremely painful and there were extreme skin indentations under both legs. Dirosa alleges that due to the incident he developed deep vein thrombosis in both of his legs.

The defendant is accused of medical malpractice in breaching acceptable standards of care.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for the plaintiff's injuries and attorney’s fees.

Dirosa is represented by New Orleans-based attorney Tamara Kluger Jacobson.

The case has been assigned to Division B Judge Cornelius E. Regan.

Case no. 722-058.