CLEARWATER — A Pinellas County couple is suing health care providers, alleging loss of consortium, negligence and vicarious liability.
Francisco and Dolores C. Piedra filed a complaint May 22 in Pinellas Circuit Court against Dr. Derek E. Williams, Dr. John C. Ofenloch, Baycare Medical Group Inc., and Morton Plant Hospital Association Inc. doing business as Morton Plant Hospital, alleging the defendants breached professional standards of care and treatment.
According to the complaint, on May 23, 2016, when Francisco Piedra was at Morton Plant Hospital, the defendants failed to use the proper-sized aortic valves, failed to treat the plaintiff within the standard of care, and represented to Piedra that he would be treated by a competent thoracic surgeon.
The suit says Piedra sustained bodily injury, resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, loss of earnings, medical expenses, and aggravation of a previously existing condition. The lawsuit states his wife suffered the loss of her husband’s services, comfort, society, affections, and consortium, as a result of the defendants' negligence.
The Piedras seek trial by jury, compensatory damages of more than $15,000, court costs and all other relief allowed by law. They are represented by attorneys Henry E. Valenzuela of Valenzuela Law Firm PA in Tampa, and by Brent R. Bigger of Paul/Knopf/Bigger in St. Petersburg.
Pinellas Circuit Court case number 18-CA-3322