BEAUMONT – For the third time, a Jefferson County will hear a medical malpractice lawsuit brought by an area couple that lost their son when he killed himself while under a suicide watch.
The litigation was brought by Kimberly Holman Bobb and Jerome Johnson, who, on behalf of their late son Justin Holman, filed suit against Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas and Dr. Ravikumar Kanneganti.
The first mistrial transpired on March 19, 2018. A new jury was selected the following month and on May 3, 2018 the jury once again failed to reach a decision.
The son of the plaintiffs, Justin, was admitted to Baptist on Oct. 9, 2013, after attempting suicide by overdosing on Valium. He was then transferred to the Behavioral Health Center where he came under the care of Kanneganti on Oct. 10, 2013.
Holman Bobb (Justin’s mom) was informed later that day her son was in a coma after again attempting suicide with items left in his hospital room.
A housekeeper discovered Justin, who had been left alone, hanging from a sheet that he had threaded through the air-conditioning vent, according to court records.
He died on Oct. 15, 2013.
The plaintiffs blame Kanneganti, a psychiatrist, for failing to take reasonable steps to protect Justin from self-inflicted harm, especially when considering his previous suicide attempt.
The third trial is slated to start later this month on Feb. 24.
Court records show that on Jan. 29 an agreed order granted Kanneganti’s motion for partial summary judgment, stating that the plaintiff take nothing on the claim of medical expenses ($109,062.37) relating to the care provided to Justin at Baptist Hospital.
Bobb and Johnson are seeking medical expenses, damages and funeral and burial expenses, plus exemplary damages.
Along with Brian Mazzola, Joe House of the Houston law firm House Perron & House also represents the plaintiffs.
Kanneganti is represented by Mary Kathleen Evans, attorney for the Houston law firm Luccia & Evans.
Judge Justin Sanderson, 60th District Court, is presiding over the case.
Case No. B195-736