Pubdate: Sat, 02 Nov 2002
Source: Sun News (SC)
Copyright: 2002 Sun Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://web.thesunnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/987
Author: Elaine Gaston
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

LAWSUIT CITES CLINIC, OWNER

Dr. D. Michael Woodward and the Comprehensive Care and Pain Management 
Center in Myrtle Beach were named in a lawsuit filed by a former patient 
alleging negligence.

Horry County resident Susan Saleeby, a former patient at the clinic, filed 
the lawsuit Oct. 9, alleging Woodward and several doctors who worked with 
him at the clinic prescribed addictive medications, causing her injuries 
and damages.

Woodward and several others are charged in connection with a federal 
investigation involving the illegal distribution of OxyContin and other 
controlled substances at the now closed Comprehensive Care and Pain 
Management Center at 7714 N. Kings Highway. Their criminal cases are 
pending and Woodward remains jailed.

The suit said "the drugs prescribed by defendants were addictive and 
included Ambien, carisoprofol, alprazolam, hydrocodone and Percoset."

Saleeby says the defendants failed to warn her of the dangers of the 
treatment and of the prescribed drugs.

"In prescribing to plaintiff quantities of habit forming drugs when the 
defendants knew, or should have known, that by the use of such drugs 
plaintiff would become addicted ... and unable to control her craving and 
use of them," the suit says.

Saleeby says the defendants' negligence led to her becoming "addicted to 
drugs, resulting in a deteriorated physical and mental condition and 
frequent and extended periods of illness," according to the suit.

Saleeby is seeking punitive and actual damages in a jury trial. Her 
husband, Jan Saleeby, also filed a lawsuit Oct. 9, seeking damages as a 
result of his wife's injuries.
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MAP posted-by: Beth