In the span of three months, Katherine Meguess filed two separate suits against Dr. Craig Charleston and his practice, Coastal Pain Care, claiming he failed to timely report MRI findings that would have detected her lung cancer.
Court records show that the first suit was filed late last year in Jefferson County District Court and assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.
The second suit was filed Feb. 2 and assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson, 6oth District Court.
On March 8 Judge Floyd granted Dr. Charleston's motion to consolidate and combined both suits, court papers say.
Several months later, a docket control order was entered, slating a February 2012 trial for the combined cases.
Court records show that on Aug. 26, 2008, Meguess underwent an MRI "which was interpreted to show a possible 9mm right lung pulmonary node."
The MRI report was forwarded to Meguess's attending physician, Dr. Charleston, who allegedly "failed to advise Meguess of the MRI findings" and failed to preform any follow up treatment, the suit states.
On Oct. 12, 2010, Meguess was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, which she alleges could have been managed earlier if Charleston reported his findings and ordered more tests.
Beaumont attorney Clay Dugas represents her.
Houston attorney Matthew Hughes represents Dr. Charleston.
Case No. E188-692