HOUSTON – Local cardiologist Dr. Salah El Hafi is alleged by a deceased patient’s family to have not timely diagnose and treat his condition.
Imrana Manzanares of the law firm Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Aziz in Houston filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against El Hafi on behalf of the surviving relatives of John Wheeler on July 13 in the Harris County 133rd District Court.
The 5-page complaint explains that Wheeler was participating in therapy at the Texas Orthopedic Hospital following knee surgery in February 2017 when he experienced dizziness. El Hafi advised that the decedent go to his office for a follow-up meeting.
Wheeler explained what happened to him to the defendant, who reportedly knew of the former’s medical history. The physician examined the decedent and noted that he needed to schedule a venous Doppler of his lower extremities.
Court papers further state that Wheeler suffered swelling in both of his legs and passed away afterwards. An autopsy revealed that the decedent died as a result of blood clots in his lungs.
“The defendant failed to take precautions, or adequately take timely precautions, to prevent injury to Mr. Wheeler,” the original petition says.
Wheeler’s family consequently seeks unspecified monetary damages.
Harris County 133rd District Court Case No. 2018-46629