Ochsner accused of refusing to admit patient to ICU until it was too late

GRETNA – The family of a deceased man is suing a local hospital for not admitting their 85-year-old father to the intensive care unit in time to prevent his death from a fluid buildup in his lungs.

Dwan Singleton and Mona Singleton Hebert, individually and on behalf of their deceased father Rodric M. Singleton Jr., filed suit against Ochnser Clinic Foundation, Jessica Gonzalez M.D. and Frank C. Wharton M.D. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 18.

The plaintiffs assert that on Nov. 29, 2011 their father Rodric M. Singleton Jr. died at Ochsner Medical Center located at 1514 Jefferson Highway in Jefferson. The Singletons claim their father first began to be treated by the defendants on Nov. 3, 2011, when he went to the hospital complaining of shortness of breath, congestion and fever. The suit says that he was admitted and diagnosed as having a staph infection, a bone infection in one of his toes, pneumoniaand congestive heart failure.

The plaintiffs allege that over the course of his hospital stay Rodric M. Singleton Jr.’s condition worsened and he developed edema, maintained a fever, decreased breathing capacity and eventually decreased kidney function and increased heart rate and shortness of breath. The plaintiffs contend they requested the defendants transfer their father to the intensive care unit due to his worsening condition, but they refused to do so until he was diagnosed with a buildup of fluid in his lungs that ultimately led to his death.

The defendant is accused of medical malpractice and wrongful death.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, survival damages, funeral expenses, loss of love and support and wrongful death.

The plaintiffs are represented by Richard T. Gallagher of Metairie-based Gallagher Law Firm LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division P Judge Lee V. Faulkner Jr.

Case no. 747-804.