Another Missed Bacterial Infection

A medical negligence lawsuit was filed last week by Molly Millsop and her parents against Ohio University, where Millsop attended for journalism.  The suit claims that doctors at the university’s Hudson Health Center failed to diagnose and treat a dangerous infection, ultimately leading to the amputation of her right arm and shoulder.

According to the lawsuit, Millsop sought medical treatment at Hudson in September 2007, where she was examined twice and ultimately diagnosed with a simple sore throat, muscle strain and a case of anxiety.

They were terribly wrong.  What Millsop was actually suffering from was a rare bacterial infection called necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating bacteria.

Initially, Molly went to the medical center complaining of nausea and dizziness.  She also mentioned a pain in her right arm.  The lawsuit claims that doctors dismissed Millsop, giving her anti-nausea medication and sending her home.

Later that same day, after the pain had increased to the point where Molly could barely walk, she returned to the medical center.  That time she was diagnosed with anxiety and made to breath into a paper bag.

Her parents then became involved, and took her to O’Bleness Memorial Hospital, where she was finally properly diagnosed and airlifted to another facility for the amputation to save her life.

The lawsuit claims that had Millsop been properly diagnosed when she had initially sought treatment, she would most likely have been able to avoid the amputation or at least saved part of her arm.  They are seeking damages caused by emotional pain, physical pain, future lost earnings and a lessened ability to enjoy life.