But ignored by medical staff at LDS Hospital, a new lawsuit alleges, Lisa Speckman's infection developed into a "flesh-eating" disease that led to the amputation of both her legs above the knees and her right arm above the elbow.

In a suit filed Wednesday in 3rd District Court, Speckman alleges that the negligence of IHC Hospitals Inc., which operates LDS Hospital, and its personnel was the cause of the necrotizing fascitis that ravaged her body after the Feb. 25, 2005, birth of her daughter.

The tip of her middle finger on her left hand also was amputated, and her reproductive organs, gall bladder and much of her large intestine were removed.

The lawsuit alleges errors began months before her daughter's birth, as prenatal test results indicating a possible infection were recorded incorrectly or not included in her medical chart. Days after her daughter's birth, as her blood pressure dropped, her heart rate increased and her abdomen began swelling, Speckman still was given a sleep aid rather than the diagnostic tests and antibiotics she needed, the lawsuit contends.

So far, Speckman has incurred more than $1 million in medical expenses, and the care she will need for the rest of her life will exceed $15 million, the legal action alleges. The suit also seeks unspecified punitive monetary damages.

Jess Gomez, a spokesman for LDS Hospital, said he could not comment on specific allegations because the medical facility has not been served with the suit yet.

"Our foremost commitment has always been and will continue to be providing the very highest level of care to all of our patients," Gomez said.

The situation is personally difficult for the hospital because Speckman is a registered nurse who was employed there at the time she gave birth, he said.

"Lisa is our friend and has been a valued colleague of ours," Gomez said. "This is a tragic situation. We love Lisa and miss her. We value her not only as a patient but as a long term member of our team. We've worked closely with Lisa and her family during the course of her care."

Also named as defendants are the University of Utah, which placed medical residents and instructors at LDS Hospital for staffing and training, and IHC Health Plans for allegedly failing to cover her medical expenses in retaliation for Speckman and her husband hiring lawyers to represent them in a malpractice claim.

Speckman, now 44, and her husband, Stephen Speckman, a reporter for the Deseret Morning News, have two daughters. They declined to comment on the suit.

pmanson@sltrib.com