Partial amputation of legs prompts lawsuit

BROWNSVILLE, Pa., Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania woman who had both her legs partially amputated alleges her condition was misdiagnosed because she had been drinking.

Shanna Hiles' attorney Monte J. Rabner says Hiles was intoxicated when she arrived at Uniontown Hospital on May 24, leading Dr. Mark L. Fennema to discount indicators of acute compartment syndrome, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Wednesday.

Hiles, 20, went to the hospital complaining of pain in her legs after she passed out with her legs folded underneath her and stayed in the position for as long as 12 hours.

Rabner alleges his client showed signs of acute compartment syndrome, which occurs when nerves and muscle are damaged due to impaired blood flow in the body, upon arriving at the hospital's emergency room.

The attorney said instead of diagnosing Hiles with the medical condition, the woman was diagnosed with acute alcohol toxicity.

After being transferred to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hiles was diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome and forced to undergo bilateral knee amputations.

The Tribune-Review said Hiles' lawsuit for unspecified damages names Fennema, Uniontown Hospital and Fayette Regional Health System as co-defendants.