TEXARKANA - The family of a deceased 20-year-old Texarkana woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her treating physicians for failing to treat the symptoms of a stroke.
Darrel Morphew, individually and as representative of the estate of Lisa Michelle Morphew, and Patricia Morphew filed suit against Dr. James Urbina, Dr. Christopher Lux and the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, doing business as Christus St. Michael Healthcare System on Jan. 20 in the Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana Division.
According to the lawsuit, Lisa Morphew was treated by the defendants at the end of May. The family states that the defendants' negligent treatment ultimately caused her death. According to a local paper, Morphew died on May 25.
The defendants are accused of rendering medical treatment that was below the standard of care.
Defendant Urbina is accused of negligence for failing to timely assess and treat Lisa Morphew's stroke symptoms, failing to recognize the urgent status of the patient, failing to timely consult neurosurgical intervention.
Defendant Christus St. Michael is accused of negligence for its nurses failing to recognize the serious condition of Lisa Morphew and not obtaining an appropriate specialist or following the chain of command to insure that Morphew obtained proper treatment by an attending physician.
The family is asking for an award of damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of comfort and joy, emotional injuries, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.
The plaintiffs are represented by Ernest Cochran of Cochran & Golden in Texarkana.
U.S. District Judge David Folsom is assigned to the case.
Case No. 5:110-cv-00013