Daughters of 85-year-old man who died at hospital file medical malpractice lawsuit

GRETNA – The children of a deceased man are suing the hospital where he died at age 85 claiming they failed to properly treat his pneumonia and other medical conditions that led to his death.

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

The plaintiffs allege their father, Rodric M. Singleton Jr., was a patient under the care Gonzalez and Wharton, both of whom are medical doctors at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation located at 1514 Jefferson Highway in Jefferson. Hilferty and Hebert assert while their father went to the Ochsner emergency room on Nov. 3, 2012 complaining of chest congestion and was admitted to the hospital with severe pneumonia and a fever after already having been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s disease and hypertension. The plaintiffs contend the defendants also found a severe MRSA staph infection on one of Singleton’s toes.

While in the hospital Hilferty and Hebert clam their father’s condition worsened and his fever climbed, his breathing became labored, his kidney function deceased and fluid buildup in his lungs was noted after which the defendants administered IV fluids to him. The plaintiffs contend they requested their father be moved to the intensive care unit (ICU), but there requests were dismissed by the defendants.

Hilferty and Hebert allege their Singleton was eventually moved to the ICU, but ultimately died on Nov. 29, 2011. The plaintiff’s assert their father’s autopsy showed his lungs were full of fluid at the time of his death.

The defendant is accused of medical malpractice.

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

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

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

Case no. 747-804.