Discovery heating up in malpractice claim

Discovery is now underway in a suit claiming a man died after a doctor at Christus Health Southeast Texas failed to take appropriate measures following surgery.

Linda Lowe, Amanda Lowe, Melissa Lowe and Laura Singletary filed a lawsuit June 27 in Jefferson County District Court against Christus Health Southeast Texas, doing business as Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth and Dr. Steven K. Sooudi.

Court records show that on Dec. 16 a certificate of written discovery was filed in the case, which included Christus' supplemental responses to the family's requests for disclosure.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim their husband and father, Arthur Lowe, was admitted to Christus St. Elizabeth on June 27, 2009, with complaints of recurrent chest pains.

However, during surgery, doctors discovered Arthur Lowe's artery walls had separated and stopped the anticoagulant, the complaint says.

On July 1, 2009, Arthur Lowe's hemoglobin and hematocrit levels had fallen very low and his heart rate continued to increase, the complaint says. Transfusions did little to stop Arthur Lowe's hypotensive, tachycardic and anemic state, the plaintiffs claim.

According to the complaint, at 9 p.m. on July 1, 2009, Arthur Lowe died.

The plaintiffs seek a judgment within the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus pre- and post-judgment interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Clay Dugas and Mike Jacobellis of Beaumont represent them.

Christus is represented by Orgain Bell & Tucker attorney Curry Cooksey.

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

Case No. A190-411