Family sues East Jefferson General Hospital over alleged malpractice

GRETNA – The family of a man whose health deteriorated after being treated at a local hospital is suing.

Phyllis Montalbano, Lisa M. Pequet and John A. Montalbano Jr. filed suit against Nicholas J. Persich M.D., Christopher N. Barrilleaux M.D., Jefferson Parish Hospital Service District No. 2, Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana and East Jefferson General Hospital in the 24th Judicial District Court on Jan. 24.

The family of John A. Montalbano Sr. claims he was admitted to East Jefferson Hospital on March 2, 2008 and underwent gallstone removal surgery in which physicians had to attempt to pull out the gallstone numerous times before successfully doing so during which time they also found a recess in his bile duct.

On Nov. 28, 2008 Montalbano arrived at the emergency room at East Jefferson General Hospital complaining of severe abdominal pain and underwent evaluation for another stone. However, over the next 24 hours, and before any other intervention could be taken, Montalbano's condition worsened, he spiked a fever, became septic and had a heart attack. Due to the heart attack Montalbano's family claims he received a brain injury and became invalid and needed constant care after his discharge from the hospital in January 2009 and until his death in May 2011.

The defendant is accused of failing to meet he applicable standard of care in its original discharge instructions following gall bladder surgery, failing to meet the applicable standard of care in advising the patient of need for gallbladder removal, failing to review any and all medication the patient should have been placed on given his diagnosis and failing to meet the applicable standard of care in communicating to Montalbano the risks of serious illness given his prior medical history.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical expenses, loss of support, loss of love and affection, loss of society and funeral expenses.

The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Thomas B. Calvert of Metairie.

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

Case no. 723-208.