Louisiana Hospital Shucks Claim for Impaired Doctor’s Negligence

A Louisiana woman who suffered complications from surgery can’t pursue a suit against the hospital that allowed her surgeon to continue practicing there after his recent arrest and diagnosis of mental health issues, a state appeals court said.

Roxine Lachney added her claims against Christus Cabrini Surgery Center Inc. too late, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, said Wednesday. The Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act’s three-year limit for filing suits against health-care providers applied to bar her case, rather than a longer, more general statute of limitations, Judge Van H. Kyzar said.

James Gates performed three surgical procedures on Lachney ...