Smith
A week after colon surgery, Lonnie Roberts died of sepsis while in the care of Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital, according to a recently filed wrongful death lawsuit.
On Dec. 5, Barbara Roberts and Lonnie Roberts' children filed suit against the hospital and the physician who performed the surgery, Dr. Stuart Scott Kacy, in Jefferson County District Court.
According to the lawsuit, on Dec. 1, 2009, Roberts underwent a colonoscopy at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth. He was then transferred to Dr. Kacy's care at Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
The following day, Dr. Kacy performed a resection of Robert's colon. On Dec. 7, 2009, he was discharged, even though postoperative laboratory reports did not show him to be in stable condition, the suit claims.
Suffering from toxic shock, Roberts was readmitted the next day. The suit alleges a physician discovered he had a disrupted anastomosis and fecal contamination of his abdomen.
"Mr. Roberts died on Dec. 10, 2009, at Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital," the suit states, adding that the defendants breached the standard of care and caused him to die of sepsis.
The suit accuses the hospital nursing staff of negligently filing to observe Roberts and chart his condition.
Dr. Kacy is accused of negligently failing diagnose Robert's postoperative condition.
The plaintiffs are suing for wrongful death damages.
Orange attorney Christopher Smith of Bush Lewis represents them.
Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, is assigned to the case.
Case No. E191-436