Cabell Huntington (W.Va.) Hospital sued a West Virginia jail and county commission over $168,985.65 in unpaid medical bills for an inmate, the Charleston Gazette-Mail reports.
Cabell Huntington Hospital named the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Authority, the executive director of the jail authority, and the Kanawha County Commission as defendants. The lawsuit claims an inmate from South Central Regional Jail received uncompensated treatment at Cabell Huntington Hospital for 19 days in January and February 2016.
The lawsuit, filed April 9 in Kanawha County Circuit Court, said the inmate "sustained serious injuries" at the jail requiring "significant medical care." The inmate, who was transported to Cabell Huntington Hospital's emergency room Jan. 28, 2016, remained a patient at the hospital until Feb. 15, 2016. No other details were provided about the inmate's injuries or treatment.
Kent Carper, Kanawha County Commission president, told Charleston Gazette-Mail the jail, rather than the county, is responsible for paying the bill.
Cabell Huntington Hospital seeks the total cost of the inmate's bill, as well as attorneys' fees, interest and other court costs.
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