BATON ROUGE – An East Baton Rouge woman is suing a local doctor for allegedly causing permanent damage to her left arm.
Geraldine Green filed suit against Dr. London Guidry in the 19th Judicial District Court on April 22.
According to court records, on Sept. 11, 2013, Green went in to have surgery on her left arm to have a shunt placed at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. At the time of the surgery, the plaintiff was a diabetic and suffered from congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. Due to the plaintiff’s medical condition, she was not able to receive anesthesia, but she was given shots to deaden her arm prior to surgery.
After the plaintiff's surgery, Green alleges her left hand was unable to move and was very cold. The plaintiff claims she called the defendant, who told her to come in immediately for an ultrasound. Once Dr. Guidry did the ultrasound he allegedly noticed the plaintiff's left arm had been damaged and that there wasn’t any blood flow. The lawsuit states that Dr Guidry performed surgery immediately on the plaintiff where he removed a vein from her right thigh and transplanted into her left arm.
After the surgery, the plaintiff claims she attended St. Francis Rehab facility and was told by her physical therapist that her condition was permanent. The plaintiff also purportedly returned to see Dr. Guidry who was unsure as to what happened to her and referred her to Dr. Nwabueze in St. Francisville. According to the lawsuit, Dr. Nwabueze told Green she needed to see another specialist named Dr. Idowu who confirmed that the plaintiff suffered severe nerve damage.
The defendant is accused of failing to follow up appropriately, and failing to perform the surgery in an artful manner. The defendant also allegedly failed to consult with appropriate specialist.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for body damages, medical expenses and court fees.
Attorney J. Michael Daly of Metairie, La. is representing the plaintiff.
This case has been assigned to Division B Judge Donald Johnson.
Case no. 638,772.