Hearing to dismiss Christus from med-mal reset

A hearing on a motion to dismiss filed by Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth has been reset for a later date.

As previously reported, Cindy Vanwinkle, representing the estate of Dusty Lanford, filed the suit against Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth and Dr. Samara Moore on April 15 in Jefferson County District Court, alleging medical staff allowed Lanford, a patient with sepsis, to die.

A hearing on Christus' motion to dismiss, objections to plaintiffs' expert report and motion for attorney's fees was slated to be held on Wednesday morning.

However, the parties canceled and the hearing was reset, according to a court official. A date for the future hearing was not given.

Court records show that on Nov. 23, 2009, Lanford, 21 at the time of the incident, was admitted to St. Elizabeth with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness and vomiting.

"However, due to defendants' negligence, Lanford was left untreated ... and suffered an untimely death on Nov. 24, 2009," the suit states.

The suit alleges the defendants fell below the standard of care in their treatment and failed to provide the patient with the appropriate treatment.

Beaumont attorney John Werner of the Reaud, Morgan & Quinn law firm represents the plaintiffs.

Houston attorney Edward Kroger of Kroger Burrus represents Christus.

Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. A189-799