PARENTS SUE HOSPITAL FOR SON'S BRAIN DAMAGE; MORPHINE BLAMED

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- The parents of a 20-year-old man who underwent
routine surgery are suing Rogue Valley Medical Center for $15.73
million in damages, claiming the hospital failed to monitor an adverse
reaction to morphine that left their son in a coma.

C.W. Smith and Gina Lee Smith filed the lawsuit Friday in Jackson
County Circuit Court, alleging negligence by the hospital that left
their son, Morgan, paralyzed and blind.

The complaint says that, during surgery Feb. 2 to repair a hole in his
lung, Morgan Smith suffered brain damage because the hospital staff
did not monitor, recognize or properly treat an adverse reaction to
morphine.

The Smiths also claim that the certified nursing assistant monitoring
Morgan did not have the experience, education or qualifications to
recognize the symptoms indicating the morphine reaction.

C.W. Smith, who is the police chief in Talent, and his wife both
declined comment. But they issued a statement through their attorney,
saying: "Our only concern is that Morgan receive the best medical care
possible for the remainder of his life."

The hospital also issued a written statement saying that Morgan Smith
suffered serious post-operative complications, and that Rogue Valley
Medical Center has been "actively participating with the Smith family
in Morgan's recovery and subsequent rehabilitation."

Checked-by: Patrick Henry