Baptist Hospital asks court to impose med-mal caps in suit over man’s suicide

Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas is requesting that the damages be appropriately capped in a suit brought by a Jefferson County couple claiming their son killed himself while under a suicide watch.

Individually and as representatives of the estate of Justin Holman, Kimberly Holman Bobb and Jerome Johnson filed suit against Baptist and Dr. Ravikumar Kanneganti on May 22 in the Jefferson County District Court.

According to the original petition, Justin Holman was admitted to Baptist on Oct. 9, 2013, after attempting suicide by overdose. Justin was transferred to the Behavioral Health Center where he came under the care of Dr. Kanneganti, but had to wait several hours to be admitted on Oct. 10, 2013.

Bobb was informed later that day her son was in a coma after again attempting suicide with items left in his hospital room. Justin Holman died Oct. 15, 2013.

Court records show Baptist filed amended answer on Oct. 21, asserting a general denial and requesting the plaintiffs’ damages be capped.

Chapter 74 of the Texas Civil Code caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice claims at $250,000.

The defendants are accused of wrongful death and medical negligence.

Bobb and Johnson are seeking medical expenses, damages and funeral and burial expenses.

Attorney Brian N. Mazzola of The Mazzola Law Firm PLLC is representing them.

Baptist is represented by Curry Cooksey, attorney for the Woodlands law firm Cooksey & Marcin.

Case No. B195-736