Athlete who lost legs suing doctors

COLUMBUS (AP) — A high school rower who lost both legs to a flesh-eating bacteria is suing his doctors and hospitals for more than $25,000.

Steven Haxton, 19, and his parents have filed medical-negligence lawsuits against doctors for Ohio Health Corp., Riverside Methodist Hospital and Ohio State University Medical Center.

The complaints, filed in December, say Haxton’s care fell below accepted medical standards and his family was not properly informed of a treatment plan.

Ohio State Medical Center denies the allegations. Mark Hopkins, a spokesman for Ohio Health, said he had not read the complaint.

After experiencing pain in his lower calf muscle, Haxton was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare strep infection that can spread under the skin. Four days later, he was on life support.