An opera diva claims her career might be over — because she can’t belt out big notes without passing gas.
Singer Amy Herbst is suing an Army hospital over allegedly botching a procedure that’s forced her off stage with chronic incontinence and flatulence.
The opera performer and her hubby, US Army Staff Sgt. James Herbst, are plaintiffs in the federal complaint against Fort Campbell’s Blachfiled Army Community Hospital in Kentucky.
The alleged injuries happened while Amy Herbst was having her first child at the hospital in February. The couple said nurse and midwife Tiffany Williams performed a episiotomy without telling them.
“No physician assessed or repaired the episiotomy,” according to the Herbsts’ lawsuit.
The botched procedure has caused Amy Herbst “to experience fecal urgency and incontinence, including periodic leaking of stool and excessive flatulence,” according to the lawsuit.
“She is suffering through a very embarrassing and very significant injury, and frankly, the prognosis of a fully successful repair is pretty low,” the singer’s lawyer Charles Allen told the Army Times.
It’s been widely reported that Herbst is attached to the Nashville Opera.
But a rep for the company said Monday that Herbst hasn’t performed in Music City for at least two years, when she had a supporting role, as the wife of Lt. Pinkerton, in “Madama Butterfly.”
“As a result of her incontinence and excessive flatulence, Herbst has been unable to work as a professional opera singer,” according to their lawsuit.
The Herbsts are seeking $2.5 million in damages.
“It would be inappropriate to comment on pending litigation,” hospital spokeswoman Laura Boyd said on Monday.
“The Blanchfield Army Community Hospital staff members always strive to provide high quality, safe and accessible health care that fully complies with all applicable standards of care.”