Man blames hospital for ulcer

A Galveston County man is suing over claims he developed an ulcer while in the hospital.

Pete L. Martinez Jr. filed a lawsuit Oct. 22 in Galveston County District Court against CHCA Mainland, individually and doing business as Mainland Medical Center, Dr. Robin L. Armstrong and Dr. Edward J. Wheeler, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Martinez was admitted to Mainland Medical Center on Aug. 7, 2012, and underwent a successful right hip hemiarthroplasty on Aug. 9, 2012. The complaint states medical records from that day noted Martinez had bruising and abrasions to his arm, hand, knee and elbow that needed to be monitored, and on Aug. 13, 2012, it was noted he had a heel blister.

Martinez says that on Aug. 14, 2012, an ulcer on the right foot was noted, on Aug. 15, 2012, he complained of a stabbing, aching feeling in his right foot, and on Aug. 24, 2012, black scabs were noted on both feet. According to the lawsuit, wounds on several of Martinez's toes were noted, but he was discharged with a stage 1 ulcer Aug. 29, 2012.

According to the lawsuit, Martinez was readmitted to Mainland Medical Center on Sept. 20, 2012, and diagnosed with a stage 3 heel ulcer, which underwent debridement and irrigation, before he was discharged with care instructions, including not putting pressure on the heel.

Martinez seeks more than $200,000 in damages, plus interest and costs of court. He is represented by attorney Gene S. Hagood of Alvin.

Galveston County District Court case number: 14-CV-1125