Family of Francene Show Host Files Wrongful Death Suit
Posted on Nov 1, 2010 2:45pm PDT
The untimely death of popular morning show radio host, Francene Cucinello, has sparked a wrongful death lawsuit against Norton Audubon Hospital, as reported by the Courier Journal.
The "Francene Show" from 84 WHAS radio lost their popular host on January 15 to a brain aneurysm; Francene Cucinello was 43.
The lawsuit, filed by the Cucinello family, alleges that the hospital was negligent in their care and treatment.
The attorney for the family, Larry Franklin, claims that Cucinello was taken to Norton Audubon's emergency room at approximately 3:30 in the morning on January 11. Cucinello had been complaining of stomach pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, headache and neck pain. She was diagnosed with pneumonia.
Though on January 13, when one of Cucinello's pupils dilated, a CAT scan was ordered and performed; the results of which were a brain bleed.
On January 14 Cucinello was transferred to the Norton Hospital downtown. A neurosurgeon there said that the bleeding in her brain initially began three days prior.
Franklin said, "The obvious reason for the lawsuit is the delay of diagnosis. This aneurism she had could have been corrected...in a relatively non-invasive procedure."
The suit claims that Norton Audubon Hospital's failure to diagnose Cucinello's ailment sooner was the "substantial factor in causing the injuries." The suit also states that the aneurysm was "untimely diagnosed, which ultimately led to her death."
The family is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages. The are also requesting a trial by jury.
The Chief medical officer for Norton Healthcare, Steven T. Hester, acting as the hospital spokesperson said, that the hospital joins "the community's sense of loss concerning" the death of Cucinello and that "our hearts go out to her family, co-workers and friends."
The specifics of the case could not be discussed, per Hester, due to privacy laws. He was only able to add that her death was "tragic and occurred despite the efforts at Norton Audubon Hospital, including those of the dedicated physicians and nurses who worked hard to save her life. Cucinello received excellent and appropriate care at Norton Audubon Hospital."
Cucinello was born in New Jersey in 1966. She began working as a professional dancer at the age of 14, and had toured with Shakespearean, and musical theater companies, by the time she was 21. She began her radio career while she was a student at West Virginia University.
Her voice has been credited at landing her a job as the station's disc jockey the moment the program director heard her voice in answer to a trivia question.
She continued her career in radio as both a radio broadcaster and television reporter in many cities. Her longest, and final position, was as the host of the "Francene Show." She began there in 2003 and spent her air time interviewing local, state and national politicians.
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