Woman sues hospital over spinal infection after epidural

GRETNA – A woman who allegedly contracted a bacterial infection in her spine following a improper epidural during the birth of her child is suing.

Richard J. Clayton filed suit against Dr. Jonathan Lissauer, Dr. Michael Jegart, Dr. Michael Freeto, Ochsner Medical Center–Kenner and an unknown physician in the 24th Judicial District Court on Aug. 25.

Clayton contends that she went into labor on Oct. 26, 2011 and that the next morning at about 5:40 a.m. she received an epidural injection given to her by Lissauer who stuck her with a needle several times before successfully injecting her. The plaintiff asserts that despite the shot, which was meant to ease her pain, she experienced significant pain during the delivery on her right side, although her left side was numb. Clayton claims on Oct. 31, 2011, two days after she was discharged from the hospital, she returned complaining of neck and back pain and was diagnosed as having lower back pain and discharged.

The plaintiff alleges that on Nov. 4, 2011 she came to the emergency room with complaints of back pain and discharged the next day with a diagnosis of sciatica. However, the next day when she again went to an emergency room she was finally diagnosed as having a bacterial infection at the site of the epidural shot and was hospitalized for a week and that to this day she still has back pain and receives medical treatments as a result.

The defendant is accused of failing to properly perform an epidural, failing to use properly sterilized equipment, failing to recognize the shape of the patient’s spine and failing to use due care in performance.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost opportunity to breast feed child, undergoing unnecessary medical treatment, medical expenses and loss of chance of recovery.

Clayton is represented by attorney John D. Sileo of New Orleans.

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

Case no. 741-632.