The children of the late Emma Lee Randolph claim the Kidney Center of Beaumont and several of its physicians allowed their mother to sit in her own waste while she received dialysis. Randolph's children allege the neglect she experienced contributed to her death.
Torrence Randolph and three of his siblings filed suit against the Kidney Center and two of its physicians, Dr. Shariq Ahmad and Dr. Mark Wilson, in the Jefferson County District Court on Feb. 27.
According to the plaintiffs' petition, on Jan. 18, 2006, Emma Randolph was admitted to Silsbee Oaks Nursing Home. During her stay, she was required to go to The Kidney Center of Beaumont for dialysis several times a week.
"These were long visits-frequently lasting between six to eight hours," the suit said.
"During these visits, the staff at the Kidney Center did not care for Ms. Randolph. They allowed her to sit in a wheelchair without being repositioned, without receiving incontinent care, without receiving adequate nutrition, and without receiving adequate hydration.
"As a result, she was left to sit in the same position for expended periods of time-frequently in her own waste. The physicians and staff at the Kidney Center did not attend to her nutritional needs as she was not sufficiently encouraged or assisted with eating and drinking during the time she was there.
"Despite being repeatedly warned by the nursing home staff that these failures would be catastrophic to Ms. Randolph, the physicians and staff at the Kidney Center did nothing to improve and as a result, Ms. Randolph became dehydrated, malnourished and developed severe bedsores, which later became infected."
By breaching the ordinary standard of care, the Randolph children allege the Kidney Center and its physicians caused Randolph to suffer injuries, "all of which were preventable," the suit said.
The Randolph children are suing for exemplary damages, plus their mother's past and future suffering.
The plaintiffs are demanding a trial by jury and are represented by Daniel Packard, attorney for the Packard, Packard & Lapray law firm.
The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th Judicial District.
Case No. D181-335