BEAUMONT – A family is suing a Jefferson County doctor, alleging a botched gallbladder removal surgery led to the death of a relative.
Nathan Jannise, individually and as an independent executor of the estate of Nalton Jannise Sr. and for Dora Jannise, Doreen Lacomb and Regina Robinson, filed a lawsuit Feb. 10 in Jefferson County District Court against Dr. Jeffrey Eric Friedman and Previty Surgical PLLC, alleging medical negligence.
According to the complaint, on Jan. 20, 2015, Nalton Jannise Sr. underwent surgery to remove his gallbladder, which was performed by Dr. Friedman. The suit says Friedman made several mistakes including causing biloma, a collection of bile inside the abdomen.
According to the lawsuit, Friedman was contacted on three consecutive days but made no evaluation of the nature and extent of Jannise’s pain, who was rushed to a hospital emergency room Jan. 26, 2015. A CT scan revealed a fluid collection in the right lateral abdominal wall, the suit says.
Physicians later confirmed, the lawsuit states, that the biloma was caused during Jannise’s surgery. His condition worsened, his liver function deteriorated and he experienced respiratory failure and renal failure, leading to his death April 17, 2015, the suit says.
The Jannise family seeks a jury trial and reasonable compensation for pecuniary loss, loss of companionship and society, mental anguish and the termination of the husband/wife relationship. Nathan Jannise is represented by attorney Craig Lewis of The Lewis Law Firm in Houston.
Jefferson County District Court case number D-198102