NaphCare complaint alleges no proper neurological workup at Gwinnett County Jail before quadriplegia and death
The complaint alleges that NaphCare physicians and nurses did not properly evaluate a detainee’s worsening neurologic complaints at Gwinnett County Jail. He was 22 and was held there for four months. Over 62 days he reported losing motor skills in his hands, falls, and an inability to walk or lift his arms. He was discharged from the jail infirmary twice without a proper neurological workup. He was transferred to Gwinnett Medical Center on June 4, 2021, where a tumor compressing his cervical spinal cord was diagnosed, with quadriplegia already present. Decompression surgery did not reverse it, and he died on January 9, 2022, at age 23.
Overview
This page concerns a public complaint alleging that jail medical staff did not properly evaluate a detainee’s worsening neurologic complaints over several months. It alleges the delayed diagnosis of a spinal tumor let his quadriplegia become permanent.
Chronology
The complaint alleges as follows:
- The detainee, 22, was booked at Gwinnett County Jail in late January 2021 on drug-related charges.
- He was admitted to the infirmary on April 3, 2021, after falling from his bunk. Natalia Todd, M.D. discharged him the next day without a proper neurological workup.
- On April 11, 2021 he reported losing motor skills in his hands, and the medical staff took no action in response.
- He was readmitted to the infirmary from May 3 to May 20, 2021, using a wheelchair and unable to lift his arms. Muhammed Hashmi, M.D. discharged him on May 20, again without a neurological workup.
- On May 13, 2021 he had reported difficulty swallowing, and Wendy Harryman, L.P.N. told him to gargle with warm water. She did not palpate his neck or assess his cervical nodes.
- On June 3, 2021, Dr. Hashmi noted he needed turning every two to three hours to prevent pressure ulcers. He was transferred to Gwinnett Medical Center the next day.
- A tumor compressing his cervical spinal cord was diagnosed there, with quadriplegia already present. He underwent neurosurgical biopsy and decompression surgery on June 16, 2021, but remained quadriplegic, and died on January 9, 2022.
Alleged failures
The complaint alleges the following failures:
- Nursing staff, including Karen Harris, R.N., Wendy Harryman, L.P.N., and Yvette Whitaker, R.N., did not properly respond to his neurological complaints. On April 11 and May 6, 2021, nurses documented his complaints but did not examine him or contact a provider.
- Under the care of Mona Clarivil Fontaine, N.P., and the two physicians, he did not receive a full neurological workup or neurologist referral.
- Dr. Todd and Dr. Hashmi each discharged him from the infirmary without a proper neurological examination, despite his falls, pain, and significant neurological changes.
- The filing alleges that Dr. Todd and Dr. Hashmi told him his symptoms were temporary and needed no testing, inducing him not to inquire further.
- The filing alleges that the delayed diagnosis of his spinal tumor caused his quadriplegia and, ultimately, his death.
- The complaint pleads medical malpractice, wrongful death, vicarious liability, negligent supervision and administration, negligence per se, fraud, and punitive damages. It attaches two expert affidavits under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-9.1.