Man files malpractice suit against Trigg, PRMC
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A Tucumcari man filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against a Clovis hospital and Dr. Daniel C. Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari after he suffered two hip injuries.
Mario Barreras filed the suit on May 3 in Tucumcari district court against Trigg Hospital and Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis, both which are managed by Presbyterian Healthcare Services.
Also listed as defendants are Trigg registered nurse Monique Smith and several “John and Jane Does.” Albuquerque lawyer Erika Anderson filed the lawsuit on Barreras’ behalf.
The complaint states Dr. Horim Choi performed hip replacement surgery on Barreras on Aug. 10, 2020. It states Barreras sustained a femur shaft fracture during the procedure that was not identified at the time.
On Aug. 13, 2020, Barreras was taken to Trigg for post-operative rehabilitation. Smith, an on-duty nurse, asked Barreras whether he wanted to take a shower, and he said he did.
The lawsuit alleges Smith didn’t provide Barreras a wheelchair to take him to the shower area, nor did she provide a therapy belt. He relied on a walker to enter the shower area alone.
“Upon exiting the shower, Mr. Barreras, still without adequate support, and with an unidentified fractured femur, lost his footing on the wet shower surface and collided into the shower wall before collapsing on the floor,” the suit states, adding he suffered a hip fracture from the fall.
The suit also states there were no mats or other means of traction on the shower floor.
Barreras then was admitted to the Clovis Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center from Sept. 1, 2020, to Oct. 29, 2020.
The lawsuit states he suffered injuries, incurred medical expenses, “loss of past and future household services, loss of enjoyment of life and hedonic damages.”
The suit alleges liability and negligent hiring by Plains and Trigg and requests punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages, interest and attorney fees and costs.
No other court hearings have been scheduled regarding the case.
Presbyterian spokeswoman Amanda Schoenberg was emailed a copy of the lawsuit and asked to comment.
She replied: “Presbyterian is deeply committed to caring for the communities we serve. We are now reviewing the recently filed lawsuit and respect the ongoing legal process to determine next steps.”
