A Casper doctor and medical facility are facing trial this week in what plaintiffs say was the wrongful death of a Converse County woman.
The family of Johnna Hicks names Dr. Tuenis Zondag, Mountain View Medical Clinic and Central Wyoming Neurosurgery LLC as the parties responsible for the woman’s untimely death.
According to court documents, Hicks was found dead in her home on June 6, 2008. The cause was listed as a result of a lethal combination of medications. Wyoming attorneys Laurence and Scott Stinson represent Hicks’ surviving husband, Mark, in the suit.
The family says Zondag prescribed Actiq — a medication typically reserved for “breakthrough pain” in “opioid-tolerant patients” — to Hicks. Zondag, they say, did not advise Hicks that his recommended use was off-label, and he additionally disregarded his patient’s medical history.
The defendants, represented by Casper attorney Jeff Brinkerhoff, deny that Hicks’ death was caused by the negligence of Zondag.
“Plaintiff’s damages, if any, were caused by the intervening and superseding acts of other persons or entities over whom the defendant had no control nor right of control,” according to court documents from the defendants in response to the suit.
According to a representative for Mountain View Clinic, Zondag has since retired from the practice.
The 12-person jury trial began on Monday and is slated to last for eight days.