Heart doc questioned in hospital trial

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - Day thirteen of the wrongful death lawsuit of actor James Woods vs. Kent Hospital saw an expert witness's testimony for the defense -- a cardiac specialist who said Kent played by the rules.

James Woods's attorney, Mark Decof, focused in on a euphemism used by the specialist, Dr. Bruce Hettleman, questioning him about the term.

"Mr. Woods had what we call the 'widow-maker,'" said Dr. Hettleman on the stand.

The doctor testified that slang term refers to the deadly combination of plaque and a blood clot blocking an artery.

"By my count," said James Woods's attorney Mark Decof in cross-examination, "you used the word 'widow-maker' twenty times."

Dr. Hettleman also testified that Michael Woods's condition would have been difficult to treat in Kent's emergency room.

"If somebody has a 'widow-maker' obstruction with a clot, and they're having a heart attack, their chances of dying are at least fifty percent," said Dr. Hettleman.

Dr. Hettleman countered two plaintiff's experts, saying that Dr. Kelli Naylor and Kent Hospital met the standard of care while treating Woods. He told the jury the former Warwick mayoral candidate's condition was made worse by his weight -- 235 lbs. -- and half a pack a day cigarette habit.

When asked by Decof if ER patients in Woods's condition died, "no matter what," the doctor said no, the patient was not ultimately "doomed to die," in Decof's words.

The cross-examination of Dr. Hettleman will continue at a later date due to witnesses' schedules. Tuesday, the plaintiffs pick up their case again.

James Woods and the son of Michael Woods are expected to testify themselves any day now.