A Westbrook man is suing Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland after his leg was amputated due to an infection he claims “went untreated” under their care.
Jeffrey Kelley claims it all started when he received scratches from fish fins that were in a trash bag he picked up in August 2022, according to the Portland Press Herald. Kelley was the grounds supervisor at Southern Maine Community College.
The next morning, when his leg was painful, red and swollen, Kelley was referred to Mercy Hospital.
The paper reported that Kelley showed signs of a flesh-eating disease, which he alleges was largely untreated for the first 24 hours at the hospital.
He was prescribed antibiotics, but the lawsuit doesn’t say whether he actually received them.
Kelley was later transferred to Maine Medical Center, where he underwent several surgeries to remove his right leg.
The lawsuit from Kelley and his wife seeks a jury trial for damages, including his multiple surgeries, past and future unearned wages, and medical expenses.