Cranford v. Chassay, et al

Case Background

Mary Cranford filed a medical malpractice lawsuit after suffering cardiac arrest during surgery, which led to brain damage following a hypoxemic event. She attributed the incident to a nurse anesthetist’s alleged over-sedation. The case was filed in Alabama’s 27th Judicial Circuit Court, with Judge Tim Riley presiding. [Case number: 16-900417]

Cause

On October 3, 2014, Mary Cranford was admitted to Marshall Medical Center North in Guntersville for external hemorrhoid surgery. Dr. Dean Chassay, employed by Marshall County Anesthesiology and Pain Specialists, LLC, created her anesthesia plan.

Dr. Chassay administered spinal anesthesia, known as a “saddle block,” to block pain from Cranford’s waist down. After completing the spinal anesthesia, he handed over anesthesia management to nurse anesthetist Audra Chastain and left the operating room.

Although Cranford received spinal anesthesia, she remained anxious. In response, Nurse Chastain independently gave her 10 mg of Versed and 80 mg of Propofol without consulting Dr. Chassay.

Shortly after receiving these medications, Cranford went into cardiac arrest. While medical staff revived her, she suffered a hypoxemic event that caused brain damage. Cranford attributed her injury to Nurse Chastain’s decision to administer the medications.

Damages

Mary Cranford sought compensation for both economic and non-economic damages resulting from her brain injury. She claimed significant medical expenses for past and ongoing care, including rehabilitation and long-term assistance. Cranford also sought damages for lost earning capacity, arguing that her condition permanently impaired her ability to work.

In addition, she pursued non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Mary Cranford
    • Counsel for Plaintiff(s): S. Shay Samples
    • Experts for Plaintiff(s): Natalie Clarke | John Roebuck | Dr. Stuart Lowson
  • Defendant(s): Dr. Dean Chassay | Marshall County Anesthesiology and Pain Specialists, LLC | Audra Chastain | Marshall Medical Center North
    • Counsel for Defendant(s): Christopher L. Albright | Lee T. Clanton | J. Alex Wyatt | Mark W. Lee
    • Experts for Defendant(s): Dr. Leon Graham

Claims

Cranford filed a lawsuit against Marshall Medical Center North, Nurse Chastain, Dr. Chassay, and Marshall County Anesthesiology and Pain Specialists, LLC. She accused them of oversedating her by administering medication, which she claimed caused her respiratory arrest and brain damage. Additionally, Cranford criticized the Defendants for failing to properly monitor and assess her condition during the procedure.

Defense

Dr. Chassay and his employer sought partial summary judgment, arguing that Nurse Chastain was not their employee. They claimed she worked for the hospital, so they could not be held responsible for her actions. Cranford did not challenge the motion, and the court granted it, limiting the ruling to vicarious liability. However, individual claims against Dr. Chassay and his employer remained active.

The defense focused on denying that the Defendants had violated the standard of care or caused Cranford’s brain damage. They argued instead that her brain injury resulted from cardiac arrest, not respiratory arrest, and was unrelated to the medications administered.

Expert Testimony

The Plaintiff presented several experts in the case, including Natalie Clarke, CRNA, from Durham, North Carolina; John Roebuck, CRNA, from Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Dr. Stuart Lowson, an anesthesiologist from Charlottesville, Virginia. Meanwhile, the defense identified Dr. Leon Graham, an anesthesiologist from Meridian, Mississippi, as their expert witness.

Jury Verdict

The trial lasted eleven days in Guntersville. On May 13, 2024, the jury ruled in favor of the defense, and the court finalized the case with a judgment supporting the verdict.

Court Documents:

Available for purchase upon request