Negligence trial begins in circuit court, doctor called to testify

CADILLAC - A man who suffered respiratory depression and went into a coma shortly after taking several prescription drugs brought his former physician to court Tuesday.

Forest Manke, 33, and his wife, Kimberly Manke, are suing Dr. Saundra Blanchard and Great Lakes Medical Care following her treatment and subsequent pain prescription on Dec. 18, 2001. The trial began Tuesday with jury selection, opening statements and Blanchard's testimony. It is scheduled to conclude Friday in 84th District Court.

The Mankes, through their attorney Terrance J. Cirocco, allege that Blanchard breached the applicable standards of care. The breach, they allege, caused Forest to suffer pain, mental anguish, fright, shock, disability, medical expenses, lost income and earning capacity. In turn, Kimberly Manke was denied his support, love, society and companionship.

“What you're deciding at the end is did she provide ordinary, reasonable care?” Cirocco asked the seven-member jury.

Blanchard's attorney, David R. Johnson, told the jury Blanchard diagnosed Manke with chronic back pain from a re-injury, insomnia and depression. Based on the diagnoses and speaking with the Mankes for about an hour, she prescribed three medications: Remeron for sleep and depression, Effexor for depression and Methadone for pain.

Three days after the doctor's visit, Manke was found by his wife in bed. When she attempted to arouse him he was stiff, cold, clammy and unresponsive.

A doctor in Mercy Hospital's emergency room said he suffered hypoxic encephalopathy, caused by a drug overdose.

The defense argues that the combination of the three drugs caused the respiratory depression, which prevents the brain from telling the body to breathe properly. It led to hypoxic encephalopathy.

The plaintiffs, however, say Manke used more Methadone and Remeron than prescribed. Blood tests also showed the presence of marijuana, Johnson said.

In her testimony, Blanchard said she has used the combination of the three prescription drugs in the past. Based on discussions with medical professionals following Manke's coma, she said she did not believe the regimen caused the respiratory depression.

Cirocco, meanwhile, said literature provided with the Methadone prescription reads that it can cause respiratory depression and Blanchard failed to bring up that information during her session with Manke.

Beginning today, both sides plan to call expert witnesses to the stand to back their claims.

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€ Case: Forest Manke and Kimberly Manke are suing Dr. Saundra Blanchard and Great Lakes Medical Care for allegedly breaching the applicable standards of care.

€ Plaintiff's side: Manke took more medication than recommended by Blanchard and also used marijuana; the three prescription drugs are not a concern for respiratory depression.

€ Defendant's side: Blanchard did not provide ordinary, reasonable care because literature included with Methadone says it can cause respiratory depression and the combination of the three drugs overwhelmed Manke, putting him in a coma.

€ Next: The case continues today through Friday. Both sides intend to call expert witnesses to the stand to discuss the effects and side effects of three prescription drugs given to Manke.

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