HOUSTON — HCA Houston is facing a claim it failed to give proper toileting, feeding and other care to a patient.
Jessica Criss, individually and as a representative of the Estate of Norma Mae Fittsgill, filed a complaint Oct. 2 in Harris County District Court against CHCH Clear Lake LP doing business as HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake alleging negligence.
According to the plaintiff's complaint, Norma Fittsgill was an inpatient at HCA Houston from Aug. 5, 2019 through mid August 2019. She alleges she suffered from breast cancer and a stroke and had surgery to remove a mass on her brain.
The plaintiff claims that throughout her stay at HCA Houston, Fittsgill was not given proper toileting and continence care and that she laid in urine and feces for hours at a time and developed a bladder infection.
Criss further claims Fittsgill was overmedicated with psychiatric medications which caused her to become aggressive, suffer from hallucinations and had suicidal tendencies. She also alleges that Fittsgill's pain medication was often withheld for hours due to faculty shortages and also developed pressure ulcers. Criss claims Fittgill's call light was moved out of reach and that they failed to take proper fall prevention measures or provide her with assistance with feeding.
Criss seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Terry James of The Terry James Law Firm in Dallas.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-66815