GRETNA – The family of a woman whose condition deteriorated and she ultimately died is suing the hospital were her decline and ultimate death occurred.
Mona Singleton Hebert and Dwan Singleton Hilferty, individually and on behalf of their mother Hope Lanier Singleton, filed suit against Ochsner Clinic Foundation in the 24th Judicial District Court on Jan. 13.
The plaintiffs contend that on Feb. 19, 2012 their mother arrived at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation Hospital main campus located at 1514 Jefferson Highway in Jefferson complaining of lower back pain. She was diagnosed with a fractured back for which she was hospitalized for treatment.
Hebert and Hilferty assert that at the time of her hospitalization their mother was in very good health outside of the fractured back and that after two days she began to refuse food and complain of severe pain. Subsequently, the plaintiffs claim Singleton was placed on a liquid diet and shortly afterward her condition worsened and she was placed on a ventilator and had to be resuscitated twice.
Additionally, the plaintiffs allege that Singleton’s dialysis line became dislodged at 1:30 a.m. on March 9, 2012 and at 11:30 a.m the treating physician told Singleton’s family she was in poor condition and decided not to reinsert the line. Hebert and Hilferty contend Singleton later died a few days later on March 12, 2012 due to septic shock, inflammation of the gallbladder and aspiration pneumonia on while under the care of Ochsner Medical Center.
The defendant is accused of medical malpractice, failing to properly diagnose, failing to properly treat, failing to protect from harm, failing to assist and supervise and failing to properly asses the patient.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for severe physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, distress, medical expenses and death.
Dwan S. Hilferty, of Metairie, is repressing the plaintiffs pro se.
The case has been assigned to Division N Judge Stephen D. Enright Jr.
Case no. 745-776.