Hospital system sued over fatal OD

Parma woman files wrongful death lawsuit against Lake Hospital System in case involving her husband

A Parma woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Lake Hospital System over her husband’s accidental drug overdose.

Donna Moyers filed the suit March 6 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court as administrator of Bret Moyers’ estate.

Dr. Nancy Rodway, an occupational medicine specialist, is also named in the suit.

Bret Moyers died March 12, 2015, at the age of 55 of acute intoxication from opioids and benzodiazepines, according to his death certificate.

After suffering a back injury while working as a warehouse manager at Mars Electric in Willoughby on March 1, 2010, Bret Moyers was treated at the LakeHealth emergency room in Willoughby, attorney Francis E. Sweeney Jr. said.

Rodway prescribed opiates to Bret Moyers for an excessively long time and failed to spot and treat the signs of addiction, Sweeney said.

“She prescribed opiates for five years. Within five years, he was dead,” said the attorney. “This is the pattern I see over and over with these cases. This is a public health crisis.”

Rodway no longer works for LakeHealth. She is currently the director of laboratory services for Signature Health in Willoughby. Rodway did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Sweeney also contends Lake Hospital System

was negligent in its policies.

“Defendant Lake Hospital System, Inc. failed to recognize a rampant prescription overdose crisis existing in the state of Ohio,” the attorney stated in the lawsuit.

“As a result, Lake Hospital System, Inc. failed to create and implement proper opiate prescribing procedures for its employees and agents.”

In addition, Lake Hospital should have known Rodway was inexperienced in pain management prescribing knowledge, Sweeney said in the lawsuit.

Donna Moyers is seeking unspecified damages for her loss of support and prospective inheritance, funeral and burial expenses and mental anguish.

She is also seeking a jury trial.

“This is a multimillion dollar case,” Sweeney said.

When reached by telephone, W. Bradford Longbrake, the attorney representing Lake Hospital and Rodway, did not immediately have a comment.

However, Longbrake filed a response to the suit April 3 claiming neither defendant is liable for the death.

“(Bret Moyers) knew of and appreciated the risks and hazards involved in the medical treatment … and any injury and/or damages claimed were caused by or arose out of such risks,” Longbrake stated in his response.

In addition, Bret Moyers’ actions were intentional, Longbrake is arguing in court documents.

The case has been assigned to Judge Nancy R. McDonnell.

“This is a multimillion dollar case.” — Attorney Francis E. Sweeney Jr.