Lawsuit Alleges Physician Responsible For Husband’s Death: The widow of a 51-year-old attorney who died ten days after suffering a heart attack in front of his wife at home in March 2022 has filed a West Virginia medical malpractice wrongful death lawsuit against her husband’s primary care doctor and her medical practice.
Roger Decanio first went to Dr. Dina Criniti and Spring Hill Primary Care Physicians in May 2016 and advised them that he had a paternal family history of coronary artery disease and hypertension and a maternal history of deep vein thrombosis and coronary artery disease. The West Virginia medical malpractice lawsuit alleges: “Despite his young age, Roger Decanio’s medical history was filled with indicators that he was at risk of a cardiac event. Decanio had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, hypogonadism, Ed, and obesity. The lab results on that visit [May 2016] revealed high glucose, high AST, high ALT, high Lymphs, high total cholesterol, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high LCL cholesterol, and low testosterone.” He also was diagnosed with a fatty liver and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.
In early 2021, Decanio went to the hospital with symptoms of chest discomfort, chest pain, and dyspnea on exertion. He was diagnosed with COVID-19. Decanio was instructed to follow up in two weeks with Dr. Criniti and a cardiologist. Decanio followed up with Dr. Criniti as instructed at which time he was still suffering from fatigue.
During his annual physical exam in April 2021, Dr. Criniti diagnosed Decanio with sleep apnea, fatty liver, hyperlipidemia, obesity, hypogonadism, and depression. His abnormal lab results at that time included high glucose, high potassium, and high LDL.
On February 16, 2022, Dr. Criniti increased Decanio’s Lisinopril from 10 mg to 20 mg.
The widow’s West Virginia medical malpractice wrongful death complaint alleges that Dr. Criniti should have ordered an EKG and other medical tests following Decanio’s bout with COVID, Dr. Criniti should have reviewed Decanio’s medical records from Thomas Memorial Hospital, and she should have referred Decanio to a cardiologist. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for loss of consortium, services, society, guidance and companionship, loss of financial support and earning capacity. medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, annoyance, embarrassment, humiliation, inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The widow’s West Virginia medical malpractice lawyer stated at the time the complaint was filed, “Roger had every possible symptom indicating that he needed a referral to a cardiologist and his primary care doctor simply ignored all the warning signs … [His widow] desperately misses her husband and grieves for the life they were building. Decanio suffered undue pain and suffering, and ultimately his death.”
If you or a loved one have suffered serious harm as a result of medical negligence in West Virginia or in another U.S. state, you should promptly find a West Virginia medical malpractice attorney, or a medical malpractice attorney in your state, who may investigate your medical malpractice claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a medical malpractice case, if appropriate.
Click here to visit our website or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959 to find medical malpractice lawyers in your U.S. state who may assist you.
Turn to us when you don’t know where to turn.