Woman blames prematurely induced labor for daughter's medical problems

A woman claims a doctor at Women's Center of Beaumont delivered her baby up to nine weeks early, causing the baby to suffer from jaundice and severe anemia, among other problems.

Cametria Andrus filed a lawsuit Aug. 10 in Jefferson County District Court against Dr. Darryl C. Harris and Women's Center of Beaumont.

Andrus claims she began seeing Harris for obstetrical treatment on June 13, 2007, when she was 31 years old.

Ultrasound reports predicted the due date of Cametria Andrus's baby to be between Nov. 25 and Dec. 4, 2007, according to the complaint.
But on Sept. 25, 2007, Harris directed Andrus to go to Baptist Hospital to have labor induced, the suit states.

She had a Cesarean section on Sept. 25, 2007, and her daughter, Kierra Andrus, was born at 6:21 p.m. weighing 3 pounds, 4 ounces, the complaint says.

"Kierra Andrus was severely premature," the suit states. "She spent the first 32 days of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit. Kierra suffered severe complications from her forced prematurity, including respiratory distress syndrome, apnea of prematurity, possible sepsis, low birth weight, gastroesophageal reflux, jaundice, severe anemia requiring blood transfusion and delayed neurologic development."

Andrus blames Harris for a number of negligent acts, including ordering her to admit herself to the hospital for premature induction of labor, failing to abide by evidence of Cametria Andrus's most accurate due date, failing to provide an adequate assessment, failing to review her prenatal chart and failing to disclose the due date discrepancy to her.

Because of Harris's mistake, Cametria Andrus and Kierra Andrus suffered great physical and mental pain and anguish, incurred medical costs and lost a wage earning capacity, according to the complaint.

The plaintiff is seeking punitive, exemplary, general and special damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys' fees, costs and other relief to which she may be entitled.

Barry C. Bennett of Eddins and Bennett Law Firm in Beaumont and Michael R. McGown of Benckenstein, Norvell and Nathan in Beaumont will be representing her.

The case has been assigned to Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: A184-639.