Woman Files Medical Malpractice Suit Claiming Lack of Diagnosis Led to Paralysis

Bellefonte, PAA 70-year-old woman has filed suit against Mount Nittany Medical Center, Healthsouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation and seven doctors for alleged medical malpractice, according to the Centre Daily Times.

Judith Meyers claims that doctors' initial failure to order neurological tests allowed continued growth of a tumor in her spine, ultimately resulting in her becoming paralyzed.

When Meyers first visited the hospital in May 2009 complaining of abdominal pain and weakness, doctors suggested in their notes that neurological testing be conducted but allegedly failed to actually order any tests. After being discharged to a rehabilitation facility, Meyers claims she underwent "neuro consults" but that still no tests were performed.

By July 2009, Meyers had reportedly lost movement in her legs, and once an MRI revealed the presence of a tumor on her spinal cord, she underwent emergency surgery that left her paralyzed.

"Despite her ongoing complaints and symptoms, defendants failed to perform appropriate examinations that would have resulted in the timely diagnoses of her tumor, and defendants' failures allowed her condition to deteriorate and progress beyond the point where she could be cured with surgical intervention without permanent and significant paralysis," says the suit.