A Jefferson County woman claims she became pregnant after a doctor failed to properly perform a medical procedure meant to serve as a permanent form of birth control.
Rekenya Allen filed a complaint against Dr. William N. Hawkins and Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, doing business as Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital, on June 15 in Jefferson County District Court.
Allen claims Hawkins performed a tubal ligation on her at Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital on April 4, 2008. The procedure involves cutting, tieing or blocking a woman's fallopian tubes and is supposed to prevent pregnancy.
However, Allen claims the procedure did not work and she got pregnant, according to the complaint.
As a result, Allen suffered severe physical impairment and disfigurement, endured a deterioration of her physical and mental condition, incurred medical costs and suffered an impaired ability to earn income, the suit states.
Allen blames Hawkins for a number of negligent acts including his failure to render reasonable care, failure to conform to the requisite standard of care, failure to exercise the standard of care required by a medical practitioner, failure to properly recognize Allen's condition, failure to recognize warning signs and proceed appropriately.
He is also accused of failing to properly interpret tests, permitting inadequately experienced staff to care for Allen, failing to intervene when his staff provided improper care and failing to evaluate his staff, the complaint says.
In her complaint, Allen seeks compensatory and exemplary damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest at the highest applicable legal rate, costs and other relief to which she may be entitled.
Brian D. Sutton, Joseph N. Jannise Jr. and Stephanie H. Harris of Sutton and Jacobs in Beaumont are representing Allen.
The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.
Jefferson County District Court case number: D187-083.