SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Two Port Neches residents have filed suit against a nursing home, alleging a woman died because of the nursing home's lack of response to her illness.

Barbara Cropper and John W. Holbrook claim Margaret Holbrook resided in Gulf Health Care Center Port Arthur in December 2006, when she suffered from an extremely impacted bowel, according to the complaint filed Jan. 14 in Jefferson County District Court.

"Plaintiffs believe the evidence will show that Defendant, and their agents and employees failed to provide critical care to Mrs. Holbrook which ultimately led to the illness of Margaret Holbrook from constipation and later to the impacted bowels and demise of Mrs. Holbrook," the suit states.

Because of Margaret Holbrook's illness, she suffered mental anguish and physical pain, Cropper and John W. Holbrook allege.

Cropper and John W. Holbrook incurred medical, funeral and burial expenses, suffered from a loss of Margaret Holbrook's care, maintenance, support, services, advice, counsel, contributions, companionship and society and experienced past and future mental anguish, according to the complaint.

They also lost their inheritance, the suit states.

Gulf Health Center Port Arthur was negligent by failing to perform proper medical treatment, by failing to adhere to acceptable standards for care of patients, by failing to exercise ordinary care, by failing to properly assess Margaret Holbrook, by failing to adequately diagnose and treat her and by failing to maintain proper care of her, Cropper and John W. Holbrook allege.

Cropper and John W. Holbrook are seeking a judgment for damages within the limits of Jefferson County District Court and unspecified exemplary damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest at the legal rate, court costs and other relief to which they are entitled.

They are represented by David Dies of Dies and Parkhurst in Orange.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Case No. D183-025