LOUISIANA RECORD

GRETNA – A local hospital and doctor are being sued for allegedly wrongfully prescribing a drug to a patient who suffered renal failure.

Russell Saluto filed suit against Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, Ochsner Clinic Foundation and Phillip R. Canfield M.D. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Dec. 10.

Saluto contends that on Oct. 2, 2011 he began to develop back pain which he attributed to a muscle strain or a kidney stone. The plaintiff asserts that on Oct. 4, 2011 he consulted with Canfield at the Ochsner location at Lapalco Blvd. in Marrero. Saluto claims that during the consult he notified Canfield that he only had one kidney and had suffered from kidney stones before, but Canfield only diagnosed him with a viral skin rash, obesity and hypertension for which he was prescribed pain medicine as well Acyclovir for a viral skin rash that had a known side effect of causing kidney failure.

The plaintiff alleges that within two days of taking Acyclovir he experienced check tightness, hallucinations and slurred speech and was taken to West Jefferson Hospital and diagnosed with acute kidney failure after which his heart stopped beating on six occasions and he had to be resuscitated. Afterward, Saluto contends he had to undergo dialysis treatment before recovering some kidney functioning, but remaining permanently impaired.

The defendant is accused of wrongfully prescribing a medication, failing to obtain lab analysis foe prescribing medication and failing to evaluate kidney function prior to prescribing medications.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for injury from life threatening medical conditions, medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, permanent disability, lost wages, loss of wage earnings capacity and diminished life expectancy.

Saluto is represented by Jennifer N. Willis of New Orleans-based Willis & Buckley.

The case has been assigned to Division G Judge E. Adrian Adams.

Case no. 744-999.