GALVESTON � A Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmate is suing the University of Texas Medical Branch, John Sealy Hospital and three unnamed physicians over a false cancer diagnosis.
Roger Henderson, who is incarcerated at the William G. McConnell Unit in Beeville, sought treatment in July 2008 from the defendants for two large bumps on his neck and was diagnosed with malignant cancer of his thyroid gland.
The suit was filed Aug. 13 in Galveston County District Court.
Court papers add Henderson underwent surgery in May 2009 to remove the reportedly cancerous lumps.
The defendant physicians negligently severed Henderson's left recurrent laryngeal nerve during the procedure, the original petition says.
More tests were conducted in which it was ultimately revealed the plaintiff did not have cancer.
They did, however, find a lot of scarring in the thyroid area, the suit says.
Henderson claims he suffered a rash and hoarseness after the surgery and has to undergo speech therapy.
Consequently, the plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary damages.
Henderson is representing himself, and Galveston County 10th District Court Judge David Garner is presiding over the case.
Case No. 10-cv-2272
Inmate sues medical facilities for falsely diagnosing cancer
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